What if you’re out there to buy the best basketball shoes …

And you do not know which brand and which pair of shoes to spend your money on …

And there you see you shop where you find all of them together and you can take a look at them, vet them, try them and see which of them would be a perfect fit for your shoes.

Same is the case with this review and guide of top basketball shoes …

I’ve gathered 18 best basketball shoes from 4 top basketball shoe brands.

These brands are Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and Reebok.

In simple words, if there is a perfect pair of basketball shoes for you, that cannot be outside these 18 basketball shoes … this is perhaps the biggest list or review on the internet, so without wasting your time, I’d like to start the review.

Let us start this with a comparative table:

Best Basketball Shoes For Men & Women In 2020 

Shoes	Image	Material	Sole	Cushioning	Price
Nike Air Force 1		Flyknit	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike Hyperdunk		Hyperfuse	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike KD8		Flyweave	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike Versitle II		Mesh	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike Lebron Soldier XII		Circular-knit Textile	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike Air Jordan Ratro 8		Synthetic Fabric	Rubber	Air Zoom	Check Price
Nike Kyrie 4		Engineered Mesh	Rubber	Cushlon	Check Price
Adidas Pro Bounce		Textile	Rubber	Bounce	Check Price
Adidas Harden Vol 2		Mesh + Neoprene	Rubber	Boost	Check Price
Adidas CF Ilation		Leather + Synthetic Fabric	Rubber	Cloudfoam	Check Price
Adidas Crazy Explosive		Neoprene	Rubber	Boost	Check Price
Adidas Dame 5		Depends on Colorways	Rubber	Bounce	Check Price
Adidas Superstar		Leather	Rubber	Foam	Check Price
UA Curry 3Zero		Fuse + Mesh	Rubber	Micro G	Check Price
UA Drive 4		Synthetic Fabric + Mesh	Rubber	Micro G	Check Price
UA Jet Mid		Synthetic Leather + Engineered Mesh	Rubber	Foam	Check Price
Reebok Shaq Attaq		Synthetic Fabric	Rubber	Graphlite	Check Price
Nike Kyrie 5		Synthetic	Rubber	-	Check Price

So you saw the comparison table and I am pretty sure you can select the shoes for your game easily but if you want to read deep analysis and reviews then keep reading.

Top Rated Basketball Shoes Reviews

1. Nike Air Force 1 –  

Now:

If I told you that to the best of my knowledge, this Nike sneaker has got sales more than any other Nike basketball shoe or that from any other company, you won’t believe this.

However:

Amazing quality of Nike Air Force 1 got it 1,100+ customers, a 4.6/5-star rating and a “#1 Best Seller” tag too.

One of the many reasons why people love it is because it does not look like a sports only or urban life only sneaker – it is a multi-purpose shoe.

Why people love this pair of sneakers this much, let us find out in features’ detail.

Traction

To start with, this basketball shoe has got a tough rubber sole. This kind of soles are considered best for traction on all kind of surfaces. Then we talk about the pivot point circles in forefoot and heel area that facilitate fast, easy and multidirectional movements.

Cushioning

Nike used its Air Zoom cushioning technology. The Air cell is a small chamber made of tensile fibers and it is full of air. The air-pressurized unit compresses with the pressure and bounces back into its shape when wearer jumps. Result? Player gets a good bounce.

Material

So, the material of this shoe is synthetic fiber (FlyKnit) and faux leather – aka TPU. In terms of grip and durability, TPU is almost as good as leather. There are certain problems e.g. lack of breathability, associated with this material, but overall, TPU and synthetic fiber is a really good combination.

Lockdown 

Since this is the first review in this long list of product reviews, it is important to explain lockdown. Lockdown is a shoe’s quality that makes sure that shoe hugs your foot and have a sturdy grip on it. This means when you’re in the court, moving fast, in multiple directions, you enjoy a better grip on your foot – not only on the court. Most of the shoe only have lacing as a means of lockdown and same is the case with this one. Lacing that goes from mid of the toe to the tongue, provides an effective lockdown.

Perforations

I could have mentioned them in “Material” section, because apparently, a little bit of synthetic fiber and faux leather do not make this shoe look good, but I skipped, because I was going to mention it here. The toe box of this shoe is perforated; the perforations are made with a machine and you get equal amount of breathability, which is good although not as good as in case of a mesh upper material.

Here are the pros and cons:

Nike Air Force 1 Review

Bottom Line 

In terms of style statement and fusion of urban life style and sports qualities, this shoe seems to be delivering amazingly well. It has really good traction and cushioning – however, it could use better than standard (lacing) lockdown and it could definitely improve in terms of breathability.

2. Nike Hyperdunk – 

Just like Air Force 1, Nike Hyperdunk is also a stunning mix of sports and urban swag – you can wear it to a casual gathering as well as basketball court.

From high ankle support to internal wire or patented Flywire technology, there is so much that makes it a best overall basketball sneaker.

There are 300+ confirmed sales on the listing that you can see by clicking its name here, and it is not for any other reason, but because of its unique design features and usability that it got a 4.3/5-star rating.

Here are the most important features:

Good Traction

This shoe has a very famous outsole pattern called herringbone. Almost every basketball shoe with really good traction has this pattern and definitely it has got a tough rubber sole.

It is not important to have only a rubber sole – the translucent ones, that are overhyped these days, do not provide as good a traction as in case of tough rubber soles – the best thing is that corner of a tough rubber sole do not fray as in case of soft/translucent one.

Strong Ankle Support

This shoe has a high collar – the ergonomic design of the collar conforms to the shape and contour of your ankles and with the laces that go all the way up to the collar, you manage a tight grip on the ankle. In simple words, you enjoy the best ankle support if you decide to buy this pair of basketball sneakers.

Cushioning

Being a top of the list Nike basketball sneaker, this one also has a Nike Air Zoom unit in the midsole. As it has been mentioned above – this is an air-pressurized unit and its tensile fibers compress under pressure only to come back to the default shape and give the wearer good bouncing. This low-profile, but responsive cushioning provides the user a spring-life launching.

Material

These shoes have a Hyperfuse upper – like many different Nike technologies (e.g. Air Zoom), Hyperfuse is a patented Nike technology. What is Hyperfuse? Well, it is a breathable and sturdy material with 3 layers: one for stability, one for breathability and one for durability. While it remains breathable, it is not as fragile or easy to rip as mesh and other breathable fabrics.

Lockdown

Speaking of technologies, one cannot forget the Flywire technology – also introduced by Nike. What is Flywire? It is a under surface cable system that is connected with the laces. So when you fasten the laces, you also cinch down the cables underneath the upper material and so enjoy a 2x lockdown on your feet.

Not to mention, the lacing system is also enough lockdown on its own; it goes from toe box to all the way up to the high collar, and after fastening these laces one should feel a strong grip on one’s feet.

Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Performance Review

Bottom Line 

Why I consider this best overall basketball sneaker? It is because of so many innovations that it comes with and because of a mixed bag of all the good things it is. I mean it has the best pattern for traction, a tough rubber sole, Nike’s best cushioning system and on top of that, best lockdown and upper material too.

3. NIKE KD 8 – Kevin Durant Basketball Shoes 

Nike KD 8 follows in the footsteps of Nike casual urban style + fully functional basketball shoes tradition.

The sneaker is available in many different colors. The material used on this shoe is a perfect Nike breathable sneaker duo = synthetic breathable fabric + TPU.

The eyelets are very unique and their innovative design adds to the standard lockdown provided by a standard lacing system.

Here are the most prominent features:

Traction 

Traction is the most important gauge to check whether a sneaker is really good for all kind of courts or not. Traction mainly and mostly depends on the outsole material and the pattern made on it.

This sneaker features a modified Herringbone pattern on a tough rubber outsole. In simple words, you cannot get better traction that this

Cushioning 

This is yet another Nike Air Zoom sneaker – now, when Nike makes these sneakers, it either induces a small air unit in the heel area or a full length air unit that covers heel, center of the sole of the foot and the toe box area. As it has been explained above, tensile fiber compressed air unit is designed for spring-like bouncing effect.

Material

This shoe is also one of the lucky Nike sneakers to be blessed with Flyweave upper material. Flywire is a thin and lightweight material – basically it is a synthetic fabric with optimum breathability and yet it is more durable than mesh – but definitely, if durability is your key, synthetic leather is what you should seek in your sneaker. Tear and wear are the issues that you will eventually face with mesh or woven fabric uppers.

Lockdown 

KD 8 sneakers, just like the Hyperdunk ones, use Flywire lockdown system with standard lockdown provided by pretty standard lacing that goes from the rear end of toe box to the top where it gets hold of the tonue.

It is important to mention that standard lacing is for standard lockdown, but when you connect that lacing with Flywire cables, you get a 2x lockdown or snug fit on your feet. What could improve this lockdown is an external heel counter – the multidimensional movements are more secure and more targeted, when you get 3x lockdown on your feet.

Low Cut Shoes

Except for the decently padded tongue, there aren’t really any lockdown or snug fit features in the collar area. However, it depends on whether you like the freedom of movement provided by low cut shoes or you prefer strong ankle support. There are arguments in favor of both; as a matter of fact, there are people who found out that the high collar dug into their shin and restricted the 360 degrees’ movement of the ankles.

Nike KD 8 Performance Review

Bottom Line 

This shoe is a perfect shoe for someone who wants a top dollar Nike sports sneaker, but one who prefers breathability to durability. This is not for someone who wants a “bare essentials” type of sneakers, but for one who loves to use patented sports shoes technologies introduced by big brands like Nike and Adidas.

4. Nike Air Versitile II – 

How’d you like a Nike basketball sneaker with all the bells and whistles (read Flywire system, breathable upper, tough rubber outsole, modified Herringbone pattern and heel counter etc.) at an affordable rate?

If you want high quality basketball sneakers for men and those too at the cheapest possible rates, this is the sneaker to start with.

It is perfectly fit for beginners too – once you understand the nitty gritty of basketball shoes, you can buy a superior quality and expensive pair of sneakers.

Here are the features:

Traction 

It has got a smart modified herringbone patters on a tough rubber sole. As far as I know, to the best of my knowledge, this is perhaps the best shoe sole/traction duo that one needs to have a firm grip on clean courts as well as dirty ones. There is a small fidget spinner pattern on the sole and the purpose is to up the multidimensional movements – this pattern also decreases one’s chance of slipping.

Cushioning 

The word “Air” in the name of this product is for the very fact that Nike Air Versitile II uses a small air unit for better shock absorptions – right underneath a wearer’s heel.

However:

Do not let this make you think that a small air unit is all that this shoe has to offer in the name of traction. As a matter of fact, Nike Air Versitile II uses a Phylon midsole to boost the cushioning.

What is Phylon, you might wonder …

Well, it is just a mould made of Rubber or EVA and compressed ethylene vinyl acetate is injected into the mould that makes it puffy and soft. In short, you get a soft ball right underneath your foot and pressing on that leads to a bouncy effect.

Material

The best thing about Nike Versitile II material is the premium mesh on the top and woven fabric on other parts. Trekkers, athletes and sportsmen know that the biggest problem with wearing traditional sportswear is accumulation of sweat that is actually accumulation of bacteria and that leads to feet hygiene and health problems e.g. fungus and blisters etc.

Upper mesh is highly breathable and through that laces are connected to cables, but we will talk about that a bit later. The luxurious heel counter side is made from soft and well-padded textile. Because of that wearer enjoys extra comfort and that adds up to overall lockdown as well.

Lockdown

This shoe has a handful of lockdown features. Take the modest heel counter for example, or the extra padded part on the rear end of the shoe. However, it is mainly because of the lacing system that goes from the rear end of the toe box to all the way up to the tongue – there is an extra eyelet and using that your lacing system can control entire tongue as well as the collar.

And then there is this Flywire system – it is linked with the laces. As it has been explained previously, the thin, but strong cables (underneath the upper fabric) are connected with the sole as well as the laces; when you cinch up the laces, you get a very good lockdown right from the insole.

Nike Air Versitile II Review 

Bottom Line

Although Nike made a sports sneaker that is not only super light and super good with all these options that I’ve mentioned above, there are customer who complain about the overall look or feel of the shoe. Nonetheless, it has got all the bells and whistles, and then some, that one expects from a good Nike basketball sneaker. What really impressed me is the upper, the Flywire system and the sole.

5. Nike LeBron Soldier XII – 

LeBron has been one the most famous and celebrated line of male basketball shoes made by Nike.

Only because of LeBron James a lot of people bought these sneakers, and this one is one of the best Nike LeBron sneakers that you can buy.

What I really like about this sneaker is that it looks more casual than most of Nike’s basketball sneakers in the disguise of urban style casual sneakers – and yet, it has all the features required from a professional basketball sneaker.

Let’s take a look at the features.

Traction 

Nike LeBron Soldier XII is a different and unique shoe when it comes to traction – depending on the color you choose, you may have a tough rubber sole or a translucent gum sole. In your casual urban life, both do not make much difference, but from a basketball player’s perspective, I would recommend tough rubber over gum.

As for the pattern, it could be better if was a modified form of herringbone, but the multidirectional pattern on the sole facilitates multidirectional movements at good pace. The deep and spacious grooves offer firm grip not only dirty courts, but on the clean ones too.

Cushioning

Nike LeBron Soldier XII is better than Nike Air Versitille II in terms of cushioning. It also uses the same set of cushioning devices e.g. a Phylon midsole and a small Air Zoom unit – however, it has two of those air units. One of them is underneath the heel, while the other one is at forefoot.

This means that Phylon midsole does not have to do the heavy lifting that it has to do in case of Nike’s budget sneaker that I’ve reviewed above. Two air capsules and one Phylon midsole definitely provide better cushioning and bounce to the wearer’s feet. How come? The air units are used for shocks absorption, and then with a subsequent movementPhylon midsole bounces the foot back into the air.

Material 

Nike – as used to introducing new innovations it is, chose a circular-knit textile for the upper of this sneaker. However, the design is complex and the material is not same on all parts of the upper.

So what is circular-knit textile? Well it is a fabric made by circular-knitting. In this method, yarn is used to create a fabric. With knitting the machine creates plenty of yarn loops – in a straight line. Why this is a big deal? Because knitted fabric is more flexible than the woven one.

The shoe also has neoprene on the toe and the sides; while the key characteristic of neoprene is that it is waterproof, it has a membrane and thus it is breathable to some extent.

Lockdown

This show has a unique lockdown feature – it does not have laces at all. All you have is a set of two criss-crossing hook and loop straps. Just like laces, they go all the way from bottom to top, where you cinch them tight and lock them. This is a perfect lockdown system for those who do not like laces (just like me), and those who want fast and easy Velcro system on basketball shoes.

Apart from the Velcro straps, what provides a good lockdown is the one-bootie construction – from toe to the collar. Since it is one piece – one bootie, you get a better lock down.

Nike Lebron Soldier XI Review

6. Nike Air Jordan 8 Retro – Jordan Basketball Shoes

Apart from LeBron, if there is another line of Nike’s basketball sneakers that made it to the horizon of glory, it is Air Jordan Retro sneakers.

Figure 8 in this name represents the fact that this is Michael Jordan’s 8^th signature sneaker and Retro refers to the design of the shoe – since this is the 8^th similar looking sneaker after the release of first Michael Jordan, and it looks like the first release, because of that “old is gold” design, it is called Retro.

Let us take a look at its features.

Traction 

This is not your usual herringbone pattern, tough rubber sole sneaker that you’d mostly get from Nike. The sole is a tough rubber one, but the traction pattern is not herringbone or even close to it. There are different sized holes scattered all over the sole.

Customers are mostly happy with this kind of traction and it works almost as good as other traction patterns, but on a very clean court, I wonder how inward holes deliver as compared to outward, big and deep grooves that herringbone or similar patterns have.

Cushioning

As usual, this sneaker also features two small Air units (hence the word ‘Air’ in the name), and a Phylon unit as a midsole. As it has been explained above, the Air Zoom unites work like shock absorbers, while EVA made Phylon unit filled with ethylene vinyl, works like a spring to give the wearer a much need bounce.

There are some Nike sneakers that have only one, small and visible air unit in the heel and no other cushioning – I consider this combo of two Air units and one Phylon midsole way better than them – and I wonder how well they deliver against one big Air Zoom unit.

Material

Basically, the upper material of this shoe is same synthetic fabric and leather that is best known for durability, sturdiness and water resistance. The external layer is made of leather, suede and nubuck etc. – it depends on the colorway that you choose.

The good thing about these apparently non-breathable materials is that they made little perforations to make sure that the wearer enjoys somewhat breathability. All outer layers (upper material), irrespective of the color that you choose, have a combo of molded synthetic material and leather cross-straps. Definitely, this is the sneaker for those who need a durable and sturdy shoe for a long time.

Lockdown

This shoe has dual-lockdown features. One of them is traditional lacing system. The laces go all the way from rear-end of toe box to the tongue and collar. Cinch them down and from lace guard, to tongue to the high collar, you get a real snug fit.

On top of this standard lockdown, there is a leather cross-strap that is pretty different from Velcro straps in case of the sneaker that has been reviewed above. It goes from bottom of one side to the top of the other one where it can be Velcro hooked and this gives you a good lockdown on your ankles.

Nike Air Jordan Ratro 8 Review

Bottom Line

If you’re someone who prefers breathability to durability, this shoe is not for you. Its top is not mesh and not even breathable fabric – it is one or another thick and water resistant material. What I loved is dual lockdown features that this shoe offers – this kind of lockdown is preferred by athletes. The cushioning is also really good with all the bells and whistles that a pro-cushioning shoe come with. However, traction could be much better.

7. Nike Kyrie 4 – Kyrie Basketball Shoes

Nike Kyrie is featured in our Best Cushioned Basket Ball Shoes review, it is because of the kind of cushioning you find in this shoe.

We will talk about that cushioning in a while, but let us first talk about the name of the shoe and overall look and feel to it.

It is named after Kyrie Irving: a professional basketball player, and since this one is 4^th shoe in the line, it is Kyrie 4.

This shoe’s main strength lies in its bottom – it is there that you find a unique lockdown feature and best traction and cushioning combo.

Here’s my take on features:

Traction 

This shoe has a tough rubber sole with herringbone pattern – but this is not enough to explain the kind of traction that you can get if you put on these sneakers. The wearers and testers of these shoes declare that rounded outsole and spiral pattern help a lot in maintaining better control on the ground.

The rounded outsole sticks out and it can be seen without taking a look at the bottom of the shoe. The spikes of the spiral pattern provide a somewhat lockdown as well. The sole does not have a classic Herringbone pattern – but it is near classic, and multidirectional patterns on the sole helps with multidirectional movement as well.

Cushioning

This shoe does not have a sort of cushioning that can do heavy lifting. It has an Air Zoom unit in the heel and then it has Nike’s Cushlontechnology. It has got a Cushlon midsole.

What is Cushlon? Well, it is a sort of Phylon foam only lighter than traditional Phylon midsole and more responsive than that one as well. Cushlon’s effect is very similar to that of Adidas’s Bounce. So it is a pretty usual Nike cushioning combo –an Air unit to absorb the shock, an a bouncy Phylon to have a spring-like effect.

Material

This Nike sneaker features a diverse variety of materials. For example, the breathable upper is not a regular mesh, but engineered mesh. It is as been used on the forefoot of the shoe and since Mesh is a flexible material, it allows you to get used to the shoe without taking break-in time. The mesh is supported by nylon glued to it; this means that unlike other mesh upper sneakers, this one will not get ripped apart with the passage of time. Nylon makes it less breathable, but adds to the durability and strength of the shoe.

However, the collar and heel panel is made of suede. Suede is good choice because it adds to the lockdown and since that part is padded, you get a pretty comfortable snug fit there.

Lockdown 

In terms of lockdown, this shoe does not seem to be impressing the consumers. There is not Flywire technology or straps to make up for the standard and pretty basic lockdown. The eyelets are durable and laces go all the way from rear end of toe box to the ankle support collar. If you use the last eyelet too, you can definitely have a strong lockdown on tongue as well as the collar.

Nike Kyrie 4 Review

Bottom Line

If you want a shoe that checked all the boxes, I’d suggest Nike Kyrie. However, I cannot say the same about lockdown, because this shoe only has a standard lockdown feature. But, if you want best traction combo, best material for breathability and durability and best cushioning, this is the exact sneaker you need.

8. Adidas Pro Bounce – 

So:

This put an ends to the long list of Nike sneakers that we included to our final round up of 17 top basketball shoes.

This is the first Adidas sneaker on this list and it is the bestseller Adidas sneaker based on the number of sales when compared to other Adidas sneakers on my list.

However:

This is not the only reason for picking this sneaker – we’ll get to know more about those reasons in the detail of its prominent features.

Traction 

Adidas’s Pro Bounce is more like a good cushioning shoe and less a good traction shoe. Take the sole for example; it is made of some kind of Synthetic rubber or translucent rubber. The pattern on the sole is a Tetris-like pattern which provide good grip on almost all types of surfaces. The translucent sole is definitely not as effective as the tough one when it comes to clean surfaces.

Cushioning

If Adidas Pro Bounce beats other basketball sneakers 6 days to Sunday it is in respect of cushioning. To Adidas, Bounce is exactly what Air Zoom is to Nike. It is their chief cushioning technology – so to say. The full length of shoe has bounce cushioning.

What is bounce? Bounce is a midsole cushioning solution from Adidas. Adidas Bounce is also an alternative to Adidas Boost. How it works? Well, it works like a shock absorber – just like a Phylon unit do in the case of a Nike sneaker, it also gives the wearer a bounce needed for a subsequent movement – hence the name bounce.

Material

In terms of material and construction, this sneaker offers a very unique set of technologies and materials. It has a textile upper which I consider best because it is neither as fragile as mesh nor as unbreathable as leather, suede or similar materials.

However:

What really surprised me was not the upper material, but the construction technologies. It comes with GeoFit and Forgefiber. The GeoFit technology is all about the construction of the shoe; it induces pillow like pockets inside the shoe that lead to a better level of comfort and lockdown. The Forgefibertechnology makes heat processed thermo polyurethane-coated fibers that keep the upper stitched to the bottom and prevents ripping of the shoe.

Lockdown

This shoe does not have an advanced lockdown system – all you get are laces that go from rear-end of toe box to all the way to the collar. This way, laces establish good control over collar as well as tongue.

Adidas Pro Bounce Review

Bottom Line

This is a nice shoe, but in terms of cushioning you cannot compare it with those that have better options. Where it actually performs better is in terms of upper material and technologies related to the construction of the sneaker.

9. Adidas Harden Vol 2 – 

Adidas Harden is named after the famous basketball player: James Harden. It has been a successful branding tactic for Nike and Adidas, and other companies to name their shoes after famous athletes and basketball players.

This is the second sneaker in the line of Adidas Harden – it has some unique features. Let us take a look at all of them.

Traction 

This shoe features one of the most unique patterns. It has a thick and hard rubber sole which is considered the best among its specimen – for better control over all kinds of courts. Coming back to the traction pattern, it has nothing but random fractal shapes and the only sole that looks similar to this one is Harden 1’s.

However, as per the designer of this pattern, the pattern is not random, but based on keen observations of how James Harden puts pressure on his foot. So, the pattern is based on the data gathered about James Harden’s movements.

Cushioning

Unlike the abovementioned Adidas sneaker, this one has got Boost cushioning. This is where we stop and get to learn what Boost is. Boost is considered a comfort and running friendly cushion technology, because it does not make the shoe heavier as in case of Bounce.

What is Boost? Well, it is a cushion consisted of micro-TPU capsules that are chemically bonded with each other. The concept is pretty simple – the TPU micro capsules succumb to the temporary compression and they plunge back into their form to launch the wearer back into the air.

Material

The upper of this shoe has got a neoprene and mesh construction. We all know why mesh is used in a basketball shoe – it is definitely for the purpose of breathability. Neoprene is a chemically generated synthetic rubber that must have been used to protect the otherwise fragile layer of mesh. Also, it is important to note, that there is a membrane in a layer of neoprene through which a very minimal level of breathability is possible.

Adidas used Forgefiber in this sneaker as well – the mesh that hugs the bottom of the shoe is stitched to it with Forgefiber. This makes the shoe perfect for those who want breathable shoes minus the wear and tear risk that comes with them.

Lockdown

This shoe has a brilliant secondary lockdown option that does not only support the standard lockdown system: laces, but it also extends the grip of lacing. There are two TPU/Synthetic panels on both sides of the shoe that host the laces.

First of all, the laces can be anchored on any of the 4 holes found in a line and farther you anchor them, better is your lockdown on your shoe.

Secondly, those panels, when brought closer to the main construction of the show, provide excellent lockdown on ankles.

Adidas Harden Vol 2 Review

Bottom Line 

This shoe delivers best in almost all important areas – hence considered the best overall Adidas basketball shoe. However, if you go into details, it’s lockdown feature and upper are good, while improvements could be made in midsole and outsole areas.

10. Adidas Cloudfoam Ilation Mid – 

Adidas Ilation is a pretty standard basketball shoe …

The kind that comes to mind whenever you think of buying a basketball shoe …

It is leaning a little to basketball and less to the whole urban/casual footwear statement that all these sports sneakers make.

In simple words, if you want a basketball shoe that looks and performs like one, this is the shoe to go for.

It is not the one with too many options or technologies, but it is a pretty standard basketball shoe and here are its most prominent features:

Traction 

This sports sneaker has got a tough rubber outsole which is considered best for strong grip on all sorts of surfaces and courts. Although it does not have the classic herringbone pattern, it has got a zig-zag pattern. The grooves are neither too big, nor as distanced as in case of some of the best outsoles that we have reviewed so far …

However, the triangular and wavy movements of them give the wearer sort of traction that comes next to herringbone.

Cushioning

This shoe features a relatively less know technology from Adidas – Cloudfoam midsole. It is not only a midsole, but a sock liner as well. We know that in terms of cushioning, plays a pivotal role.

So what is Cloudfoam? It is a midsole + sock liner. It means that part of it provides optimum comfort to user’s feet while the other part works like a midsole. The padding works like a shock absorption system, while the midsole part gives a springy bounce to the wearer.

Material

Well, the upper of this shoe is made of synthetic fabric and leather – the bridge of the shoe is covered by leather and this duo makes it more like a durable shoe than a breathable one. However, perforations are made on the top to make sure that the toe box gets a limited amount of air.

Yet, this is not a lost case of breathability. It is a medium cut basketball sneaker with really good padded in the tongue and the collar area. The material used in making them is Air mesh – so at least the ankles and upper part of feet enjoy optimum breathing.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown this shoe does not seem to be impressing those who want secondary lockdown features such as internal cables and heel counters etc. However, its standard lockdown system: lacing, provides more than enough grip on the foot.

The eyelets go all the way from rear-end of toe box to all the way up to the collar – you can use all the eyelets to make sure that your laces have strong grip on lace cage as well as the tongue and the collar.

Adidas Coludfoam Ilation Mid Review

Bottom Line 

Adidas Ilation is definitely not one of Adidas’s top-end basketball sneakers – it is a very simple and basic sneaker that you might like to start with. Beginners would love it and then they would move to those that have best Adidas/Nike technologies and better control. Is there something to cheer about? Yes, the materials used in this shoe make it a combo of breathability and durability.

11. Adidas Crazy Explosive – 

Adidas Crazy Explosive is so rightly referred to as “crazy” and “explosive” – if you ask me about one basketball shoe that is equally good for a chic urban/casual lifestyle and the court, I’d ask to go for Adidas Crazy Explosive.

On top of that – a little cherry on the top – this shoe is the most affordable Adidas shoe among all the Adidas shoes that we picked for this list.

From its high collar to its overall ones and style to the translucent rubber sole that it comes with, this shoe is all about style statement – but hey, isn’t that what basketball itself is?

Traction 

This shoe comes with a rubber sole – unfortunately, it is not a tough sole, but a translucent one. While this kind of soles are not considered the best one, the reason behind using such a sole might have had something to do with this shoe’s style statement.

There is nothing wrong with translucent rubber sole – except their grip is not as great as a tough sole would have. And there are reports of how the sides of such soles start fraying.

The pattern of this shoe does not have a clear design – it is a mixture of different shapes e.g. circles, straight lines and curved lines.

Cushioning

Adidas Crazy Explosive has a full-length Boost sole. Boost is Adidas’s premium outsole made to compete with other such technologies from other brands – mainly Nike. Boost is made of TPU – it is made of microcells of TPU. They compress under wearer’s foot pressure and thus provide a good shock absorption. As a reaction to this compression – then micro ball-like units spring back to their position and thus make it possible for the wearer to have a “boost” for next movement.

Material

This shoe is not a fully breathable shoe in terms of material – do not expect mesh or fabric. Its upper is made of neoprene. We have covered the details of neoprene above; this is mainly a material for strong lockdown and longevity of the shoe. However, it has got a membrane through which it makes the shoe breathable to limited extent.

Goes along the upper (neoprene), is a layer of TPU that goes from toe box to the back side of the shoe – it provides extra protection to the lower part.

Lockdown

By the looks of this shoe, you might think that it does not have a secondary lockdown feature – other than the primary one, which is lacing system. But you’re so wrong! This sneaker has Adidas Geofit Bootie; we have talked about that before, in short it is a foam construction that conforms to the contour of wearer’s foot. All in all it is a glove-like snug fit that every athlete would love.

Adidas Crazy Explosive Review

Bottom Line 

It depends on your type whether you’d love to buy this one or not. If you love the kind of basketball sneakers that you can wear to any urban setting, if you prefer durability and water resistant construction to breathability and if you are into translucent outsoles, this one is for you. If you prefer tough sole and breathable construction – and you love low cut sneakers, this is definitely not for you.

12. Adidas Dame 5 – Cheap Basketball Shoes

Adidas Dame 5 is a taste apart …

If you want to look different standing between a couple of basketball players, this is the shoe to go for …

It is a completely different style statement and when I talk about all these things – yes they matter – but don’t you think that a style statement is all what you get when you buy these shoes.

In a minute, in features, we will discover the reason why these shoes made it to the list of 17 best basketball shoes in 2019.

Traction

Adidas Dame 5 has a tough rubber sole with very rich colors and design pattern digitally made on it. In terms of quality, it I just as good a solid rubber sole as you’d find in case of every good sneaker that has one.

Pattern of the sole is surprisingly herringbone pattern – by the overall look and feel of this sneaker, I thought of it as a more casual and less basketball like shoe, but so far so good. Herringbone pattern is considered one of the best outsole patterns because its awesome grip on all sort of surfaces and courts. Better yet, they improved herringbone pattern and introduced thick lines which are widely spaced – this prevents dust accumulation between the lines and the subsequent failure of the pattern.

Cushioning

This shoe features Adidas patented cushioning technology known as Bounce. We have already explained that. Bounce is an EVA foam midsole that does two things: support the foot when it faces the impact (shock absorption) and launch it back. In simple words, this system alone does what Nike Air unit and Phylon midsole would do together.

In this basketball sneaker, they decided to thicken the Boost sole as compared to Dame 4. This decision can be good because it will increase both: shock absorption and “bounce”, but it will deprive the shoe of Bounce system’s third biggest quality: a court feel.

Material

The best thing about Dame 5? You can enjoy the kind of material that you need. Depending on the colorway that you choose, you will have a different upper material to play with. People who prefer breathability to durability can go with the mesh upper variants and those who prefer water protection and durability to breathability can pick leather. Now isn’t this something? I think Adidas fans would love the freedom that they get with this shoe. The TPU panel on the lateral side, which although looks strange, helps players with their lateral movements.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown, this shoe has failed to deliver. No, this does not mean that there is something wrong with this shoe’s standard lacing system, but considering how marvelously it checked all the boxes, I was hoping that it’d have a secondary lockdown option.

All we get is a lacing system – the laces go from rear-end of toe box to all the way to tongue and low cut collar. Yet, you can still get a good lockdown on that area if you use all the eyelets.

Adidas Dame 5 Review

Bottom Line

Adidas Dame 5 is made for those who want a little choice and perfection in life. Not only this shoe features two different materials for two different kinds of colorways, it also comes with an improved version of herringbone pattern. The attention to details seems to be behind making of this shoe. Take that lateral side TPU panel for example. The only complaint that I can think of is about complete lack of a secondary lockdown feature.

13. Adidas Superstar – Youth Basketball Shoes

It wouldn’t be fair if I made a list of 17 top basketball shoes for 2019 and didn’t include a shoe for little basketball fans – little boys and girls.

Adidas Superstar is original Adidas sports sneaker for little ones. It does not have many fancy details to it, but since it is intended to train little basketball players, it has got all the bells and whistles that you’d love to see in a professionally conceived and made basketball sneaker.

Here is my outlook on its features.

Traction 

This shoe has the perfect kind of outsole that you need for a perfect traction. It is tough rubber outsole. The form of outsole is a cup sole (one that has a tall side wall) and the biggest advantage of a cup sole is maximum level of comfort and support.

A tough rubber sole, that is a cup sole by nature, is already a winner,but only if it has got a good traction pattern. Well, this one has a herringbone pattern on the outsole and it should go without saying that it never fails on any kind of court.

Cushioning

This shoe does not have a separate cushioning system – it’s inner construction is very well padded and with a thick and high cup sole, it provides more cushion and thickness to absorb the shocks and give a launching to the wearer. It would have been better if Adidas armed this shoe with its famous Boost or Bounce cushioning systems.

Material

Adidas Superstar’s upper is made of leather – yes, leather is the kind of style statement and durability that you’d love to see in your kid’s basketball sneaker. However, do not think that it is not breathable – there are perforations on each side of the sneaker to provide a limited breathability to the user.

Also, do not forget that it is a low cut shoe with plenty of air coming through the collar. Also, what your kids would love about this sneaker is Adidas signature shell toe that ups the protection and comfort.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown, this sneaker has a pretty standard lacing system. Since the purpose of this shoe is only to train kids for youth basketball. It is not armed with fancy technologies and stuff, all you have are laces that provide decent grip on the foot.

Adidas Superstar Review

Bottom Line 

This is not a professional basketball shoe: not even close to that. However, it has been professionally made, making sure that it has got all the basic features that your little devils need for basketball training. It is for training purposes and thus it lack advanced basketball shoemaking technologies and options.

14. Under Armour Curry 3Zero –

You cannot complete a list of top ten basketball shoes without including one or two sneakers from Under Armour – while the company is not as famous as Adidas or Nike, among the basketball fans, enthusiasts and players, Under Armour shoes are pretty familiar and considered ideal for training and game.

This shoe is one of the bestselling Under Armour shoe on Amazon. It has got 180+ happy customers and overall 4.3/5-star ranking (while I’m writing this review).

Let us find out what’s so special about this shoe:

Traction 

In terms of traction this is shoe is just as good as any basketball sneaker can be. It has the best duo – a solid rubber outsole and a herringbone pattern on it. This the perfect duo that you need for a perfect traction – doesn’t matter what the surface or court’s condition is. It works equally good on dirty and clean courts. They didn’t play much with the pattern – apart from logo and name, there is only a small circle that doesn’t really break the pattern.

Cushioning

There are many different variants under the flag of Under Armour Curry. This shoe is not much different from rest of them, especially in terms of cushioning. It has UA’s famous Micro G technology for cushion.

What is Micro G? It gives your basketball shoe the power to absorb the shocks and relaunch you for next move. It is a foam that is 30% thinner than other foams and yet delivers just like them.

What you get is a court feel at no expense to shock absorption and that too at a light weight. Court feel always enable the player to take less time while absorbing shock and react faster.

Apart from all that, UA’s patented Charged Cushioning midsole compensates for the lack of shock absorption attributes (thickness) – and this duo works just as good as Nike Air unit + Phylon midsole.

Material

In terms of material as well, this shoe comes with a very successful duo. It has got a fuse overlay on mesh upper. Fuse is a sort of protective layer because mesh, while it is super cool (because of the breathability duh), is very fragile especially when used as an upper. So, fuse protects the upper, while upper (mesh), keeps the inside 100% breathable.

Lockdown

This shoe’s outsole sticks out on the rear-end of the shoe and there is an exceptionally padded collar. They lead to a good lockdown, but do not expect a proper secondary lockdown system with this sneaker; all you have got are laces that go from mid of the shoe to the collar. They do not fully control the tongue, but they control the collar and you get a very good lockdown.

Under Armour Curry 3 Zero Review

Bottom Line

UA 3Zero is the best overall UA sneaker that we could find on Amazon – now we called it best overall for very clear reasons. This shoe has got the best traction combo that you need, it has UA’s patented cushioning technology, the material is highly durable and lockdown is decent. However, they could improve lockdown and make a wider toe box.

15. Under Armour Drive 4 – 

Not only with 140+ customers and a very good rating, Under Armour 4 is the best overall shoe based on its unique features, but it checks a lot of boxes and this list cannot be deemed complete without it.

To start with, this is one of the few good basketball sneakers I know that feature a proper, hard heel counter. It is a considerably cheap shoe, but it has got all the bells and whistles that one loves to see in a proper basketball sneaker – and then some.

Take a look at its features:

Traction

When I said that this shoe is impressive and best overall, I said that after proper research and vetting. This shoe has got the best traction duo that you can expect from a professional basketball sneaker. Yes! It is a tough rubber sole and a herringbone pattern. Although later could be even better if the grooves had a little more distance between each other. What I love about how they did herringbone: deep and wide grooves – they have lesser chances of dust accumulation.

Cushioning 

This shoe also makes use of Micro G foam technology and an EVA midsole. This is exactly the kind of combo that you get in best basketball sneakers. As it has been explained again –it is a foam that works just like other foam technologies. Except it is 30% thinner and thus it provides not only cushioning but court feel that helps with fast multidirectional movements.

Material 

The best thing that happened to this shoe is the material that the manufacturers used in making it. It has high quality mesh on tongue, but most of the upper is made of breathable fabric: although not as breathable as mesh.

For the purpose of protection they added die cut EVA patches on the inside of the shoe. Also, for the purpose of comfort, the there is good padding on the inner end of shoes.

Lockdown

This shoe has a standard lockdown system which is laces and high cut (well padded) collar. Laces, if they occupy all the eyelets and if they’re cinched down properly, provide good enough standard lockdown.

While this shoe does not have a proper secondary lockdown, it has still got a heel counter that provides good grip on the foot which keeps you from slipping.

Under Armour Drive 4 Review

Bottom Line

UA’s Drive 4 is a pretty decent shoe and you now know why I considered it best overall. It has got the best kind of traction duo that a sneaker shoe could be gifted with. In terms of cushioning it has got best what a UA sneaker can have and the material of the shoe is so on spot – they gave the wearers the best combo for protection, comfort and breathability. The problems are mainly with lockdown and quality of gluing.

16. Under Armour Jet Mid – 

Under Armour Jet Mid is a nice basketball sneaker with almost all basic characteristics and features that you expect from a good UA shoe.

It is not decorated with the most advanced basketball shoemaking technologies, but it is something really good and effective to start with.

Let us know more about this shoe in features:

Traction 

This shoe is a budget sneaker, but the features do not exude that. Take the traction duo for example: the sole and the pattern. It is a thick and tough rubber sole with traditional herringbone pattern. Rest assured, you would enjoy the perfect grip on all sorts of courts.

Cushioning 

As it has been mentioned, UA’s Jet Mid does not have advanced basketball shoe technologies or gimmicks. The cushioning is provided by full-length EVA foam as midsole as well as insole. This and the thick padding in tongue as well as collar provides a good enough cushion for a beginner to intermediate level learner.

Material

In terms of material as well, this shoe does not seem to be disappointing UA’s loyal customers and fans. There is a mix of synthetic leather and engineered mesh, with mesh covering bigger part of the foot. Engineered mesh is not as fragile as simple mesh and it has a longer life.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown, this shoe has only got a pretty basic lacing lockdown system. Since it is a mid-cut shoe, the user can cinch down the laces, using all eyelets, and have a good grip from facing of the shoe to the low-cut collar.

Under Armour Jet Mid Review

Bottom Line

Jet mid is really good – at least as far as sole and upper material are concerned – I agree that cushioning could be upped to make it a shoe for experienced player and learners. Another good thing is the choice of materials. There is nothing to complain about except, a secondary lockdown system could make it near perfect.

17. Reebok Shaq Attaq – 

This is the only Reebok shoe in this list – and it is not because Reebok does not make good basketball sneakers but because we could only pick 17 best basketball shoes from Amazon – and only one Reebok sneaker made it to the list.

This is no doubt one of the best Reebok basketball shoe available on Amazon and here are the features that compelled us to add this shoe to this list.

Traction

This shoe, as fancy as it looks, thanks God is not subject to a fancy experiment as far as outsole is concerned. There are many that we have noticed, but this one has got a tough rubber sole and a herringbone pattern.

Cushioning 

Reebok Shaq Attaq has got Reebok’s patented cushioning technology. This is mainly a foam technology, but the strong plastic fiber Graphlite unit makes your sneaker (and thus your feet) lightweight and provides ease of move.

Material

The upper material of Reebok Shaq Attaq is made of some breathable synthetic fabric material and it is very comfortable as well. But there are TPU patches on the shoe to provide strength and better lockdown.

Lockdown

Although this sneaker has only one lockdown option that is lacing, the eyelets are very sturdy and the patch is made from some sturdy material. If you consume all the eyelets, you can have strong grip on the tongue and collar.

Reebok Shaq Attaq Review

Bottom Line 

This is the only Reebok sneaker that we’ve featured in this review. The reasons are pretty obvious; it has got the best traction system, material is breathable and lacing system is also the best. The improvements could be made in respect of secondary lockdown option and cushioning.

18. Nike Kyrie 5 – 

Nike has always preferred providing comfort and ease and features to provide you with the right amount of cushioning. The latest addition in the Nike family is the Nike Kyrie 5 which is optimized to provide you with a premium feel, power protection and the Turbo Zoom Air cushioning which will make swerving around as easy as a child’s play.

After using the Nike Kyrie 5 for more than 15 games, I’m reviewing the performance and quality of Nike Kyrie 5. Read below to find out the honest performance review and pros and cons of the latest Nike Kyrie 5.

Performance Review

The Nike Kyrie 5 has been in the limelight for a while because of the awesome specifications and the economical design. Let’s throw light on each feature individually to know if it is the right choice for your sporting needs.

Ankle support

There is a great amount of padding near the ankle collar so that your ankle stays protected. The padding is stiff, but it doesn’t irritate you while playing. It also provides a strange kind of comfort due to the exclusive uppercut design.

It also provides an ample amount of support for the heel. An additional pad is adjusted to properly set your foot and avoid extra pressure in the middle of the foot. The middle padding is stiff but softens up with time.

Smart-Fit

If you are looking for a pair of shoes that can completely fit and position your feet without making them feel like they are stuffed, Nike Kyrie 5 has solved that problem for you. If you have a wide foot, Congratulations! So do I. Nike kyrie 5 provides a lot of space for wide foot individuals such as myself.

For people who have thin feet, Nike Kyrie 5 has laces that work quite well to even out or tighten up any space, while the padding provides sufficient support

Cushioning

The Nike Kyrie 5 comes with Zoom Turbo which provides more flexibility and easy mitigating from one place to another. Thanks to this feature, you can get a proper control on the speed and responsiveness of your cushioning. You’ll feel like you are walking on air.

Traction

Instead of the popular Herringbone pattern, Nike has advanced the level of quality by introducing different sole patterns that provide resistance against sliding in their own different ways. Even if you are playing on a watery pitch, the Nike Kyrie 5 will help you maintain the right posture and speed.

Bottom Line

The Nike Kyrie 5 truly provides a bang for your buck. If you are looking for amazing basketball shoes to provide effortless cushioning,  easy shifts and transitions during the game and ultimate support and ankle protection without paying through the nose, then I’d totally recommend Nike Kyrie 5.

Generally speaking, this is the only shoe that has provided me with the right balance of friction and resistance to make sure I can play and move around without any snags while also protecting my ankle during aggressive moves.

Buyer’s Guide – 4 Tips To Chose Best Basketball Shoes?

Now:

Here comes the guide for all of you who keep asking across the internet as to what to look for when buying a pair of basketball sneakers.

Read this guide for once and you will never need to ask for any expert’s opinion.

Much easier way is to pick one of these 17 sneakers as per your unique requirements, choosing and budget – and I’m pretty sure that you’d love it.

However:

If you want to pick your sneaker on your own, you can always read the points mentioned in this guide and find a good one.

1. Traction

Yeah:

Now all of us know that in all outdoor and indoor sports (including mountaineering and trekking), solid grip on the ground/court matters a lot.

As a matter of fact, it is something between your winning or losing, and even life and death (in case of mountaineering), so shoes with solid grip on the ground matter a lot.

This brings us to a big question – what assures great traction.

Well:

Mainly there are two factors that determine whether a shoe has good traction or not.

First of them is outsole and the second of them is the pattern of that sole.

Rubber sole is considered best, but only the tough one. The translucent sole, as good as it is when compared to non-rubber sole, does not have as good a grip as tough rubber sole.

All other materials start losing the grip or fraying on the sides – which is very dangerous because you can slip.

The other big thing is the pattern on the outsole – the best of them is herringbone or any pattern that facilitates multidirectional movements.

However, all herringbone patterns are not the same – pick one with grooves that are deep and have enough distance between each other. Such kind of grooves will not get filled with dirt – and they will not fail you.

Major Takeaway

Go for tough rubber sole – at least a translucent one, and make sure that sole has a herringbone or equally good pattern with deep grooves – properly distanced from each other.

2. Cushioning

So what exactly is cushioning?

Well, cushioning is a broad term when it comes to basketball sneakers. How come?

Here is how …

The word “cushion” refers to support or protection against impact as well as comfort and coziness.

From traction to cushioning it is all about soles.

Outsole dictates traction, while insole and midsole define the kind of cushioning a shoe has got.

In most of the cases, an insole is used to provide comfort to your heel and remainder of the foot, and a midsole tackles the impact and launching.

Since we cannot judge the cushioning of a shoe by its looks, we have to trust trusted cushioning technologies …

Depending on the brand that you choose, it can be Boost, Bounce, Air, or Micro G etc.

Very often a combo of EVA mould midsole + a foam proves to be the best solutions.

Why? Well, it is so because while ethylene vinyl acetate filled midsole is good for the springy effect, foam works like a good shock absorber, and this “teamwork” provides the most ideal cushioning.

It can be even better, if your midsole is not so thick – in which case you’d get a court-feel, and your feet would be ready for the subsequent movement, right after landing on the ground.

Major Takeaway

Make sure that your insole provides really good padding, and you have a cushioning based on proven technology e.g. Bounce, Boost or Air Zoom etc. It is also recommended to get a shoe with a duo of EVA midsole and foam.

3. Material

I can tell you straight away that material is one big and crazy choice to make.

Why is it so?

Well, it is because basketball sneakers come in all kind of materials for all kind of reasons.

There are people who prefer breathability to durability and protection and vice versa.

Those who love breathability, would go for mesh, engineered mesh or at least a synthetic fabric with good breathability.

And those who prefer water resistance, protection and durability (coz mesh shoes do not last long enough), love TPU or Leather upper.

Now before you get all misty eyed and tell me that you always loved shoes with mesh uppers, let me clarify that most of the basketball shoes with mesh upper and zero protective features, do not last for a long time.

You need a neoprene or leather or TPU overlay or border to secure that mesh-upper shoe. Also, it is not all doom and gloom for TPU or Leather shoes; most of them have a little breathability – thanks to the perforations made in the upper.

In this situation, a better option is to have a shoe with synthetic fabric or engineered mesh.

Major Takeaway

Make sure that you do not buy a leather or TPU upper shoe without breathable collar/tongue and/or perforations made in it. If you buy mesh or even engineered mesh upper shoe, make sure that mesh is secured by TPU/leather panel or border. A safe bet always is to buy a shoe with durable synthetic fiber on its top.

4. Lockdown

What is a lockdown in basketball sneaker parlance?

Well, lockdown is a feature of a show that enables the user to have a strong grip on foot.

To start with, lacing is a perfect example of a lockdown, also one bootie construction or burrito construction or any such construction that leads to firm grip on the foot.

In most of the cases, lacing is enough lockdown, but you can seek for other options as well.

For example, Nike’s Flywire technology is actually a smart option. It is a set of cables that are underneath the upper of the shoe and connected to the sole.

The upper part of these wires are then connected with the laces – and when you cinch down the laces, you also pull the cables and get a very good grip on feet.

Other lockdown systems include, bootie construction, heel counter and Velcro straps etc.

Major Takeaway

A lockdown system ensures good grip on foot – even if you want to buy a shoe without secondary lockdown feature, make sure that the laces have strong eyelets and they go all the way up to the tongue and/or collar.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need basketball shoes or will my trail runners/tennis shoes would be enough?

Ans. There is not simple and easy answer to this question. This depends a lot on the level of basketball thing you’ve got going for yourself. For example, if you just have a court at home or workplace or school where it is more about fun and less about performance.

Yes, you can use such shoes if you play basketball for fun. At your home you can dunk a hoop wearing trail runners or tennis shoes. You can do the same anywhere – but in case you’re into college or club level basketball or you take this game seriously, you must buy a pair of proper basketball shoes.

2. What is the best basketball shoe?

Ans. This is also a complicated question. I can line up a list of best basketball shoes made by big brands like Adidas, Nike and Under Armour etc. However, this does not answer the question. Perhaps you do not want to know about a particular shoe made by a particular brand, but the question is about characteristics.

The best basketball shoe must be one that checks all the boxes. What are those boxes? Most important of them are traction and cushioning. Then comes material – if it is leather it is sturdy and waterproof, but it will not let air in and thus you will end up with bacteria and sweat accumulation in your shoes. If it is made of mesh or a breathable fabric, is it a durable one? The best shoe is one that your feet will feel best inside.

3. Why cushioning is important?

Ans. There are many factors that dictate the buying decisions when it comes to buying basketball shoes. Cushioning is one of the most important of those factors. Cushion is added to a shoe in various different forms. The purpose of cushioning is to enable the player to bounce higher while shooting the ball. This also launches you to the next movement when your feet land on the ground.

A few known forms of cushioning are Nike Air capsule, Nike react foam and Adidas boost etc.

4. Why traction is important?

Ans. Apart from being able to jump (something that cushioning provides), there is another very important factor that makes or breaks the game. That factor is traction. Traction or strong grip on the ground is what you achieve with the outsole of your shoe.

So, traction is very important and there are a few very famous traction pattern that are known for good grip on all kinds of courts.

The most famous of those patterns and the most successful one is herringbone pattern. Other patterns include fingerprint pattern and circular pattern etc.

5. What about insoles?

Ans. It is good to have a basketball sneaker that has everything that you need in one piece. It makes it a lot easier for you to clean the shoe, use it roughly and take care of it. However, you can use insoles in case you need some extra padding or cushion for your feet. Those of them that have shanks are good because they provide good arch support.

6. What kind of socks are best?

This again depends on how involved you are. I can tell you that you do not need basketball socks to dunk hoop with your son – at home – on a Sunday afternoon. You also do not need them if you have little court at your workplace.

But you need basketball socks if you play it at a professional level. Nike Elite socks, Under Armour Men’s Heat Gear and Stance NBA Socks are those that come to mind.

7. What is the difference between an average price basketball shoe and the expensive ones?

Ans. You might not want to believe me, but there can be a big difference or may be no real difference at all. Do know that most of the expensive basketball shoes come from the brands have 6 figure advertising budgets and a massive brand awareness. They do not charge only for the shoe, but they include marketing, other costs and their brand’s good will when they decide the pricing.

You can compare a cheap (made in China?) shoe with an expensive one and have a side by side comparison of all features – traction, cushioning, material and lockdown system etc. You might find a cheap shoe with features same as a good one.

8. Are Kyrie 5 good for basketball?

Ans. Kyrie 5 is made by Nike and it is one of the most famous basketball shoes. There is no reason why these shoes should not be considered good for basketball. Especially, those of you who play on outdoor courts would love to know that Kyrie 5 offers really good traction for dirty or semi-clean basketball courts. Kyrie 5 has a very prominent herringbone pattern with strong and big grooves- this means maximum grip on any kind of court.

And another strong suit of Kyrie 5 is its cushioning. It has Nike Air Zoom Turbo cushioning – it is advanced. You cannot compare it to the cushioning of other basketball sneakers, because even in the league of Air Zoom sneakers, this one has a more advanced cushioning technology. So, the answer is the Kyrie 5 is definitely good for basketball.

9. Do NBA players buy their own shoes?

Ans. This question is actually two-fold. First of all you want to know if NBA players can choose sneaker of their own choice and secondly you want to know if the sneakers they wear are free of cost or they have to pay for them.

Well, the answer to the first one is NBA players not only have a say in the sneaker that they want to wear, but Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, has allowed them to wear them in any color they like.

The answer to the second part is that NBA players represent their teams and sponsors so they do not have to buy their own equipment. That is provided to them free of cost – even to those who are on the bench and not on the court.

Our Verdict

As per my personal opinion, based on the features and customer reviews of all these shoes, here are three best basketball sneakers of 2019.

You can either pick one of these three, or expand your vetting to all 17, or just go wild with our buying guide and get a basketball shoe that best serves your purposes.

• Nike Air Force 1 – breathable material, highly effective Air Zoom cushioning and rubber sole
• Adidas Pro Bounce – maximum breathability, Bounce cushioning technology, tough rubber sole
• Under Armour Curry 3Zero – highly breathable and durable material, Micro G cushioning and tough rubber sole

Let me know of your feedback in the comment box below.

It is extremely important to have the right set of basketball shoes to perform well at the ground. The right basketball shoes help you to accelerate your speed while also saving your ankles from any potential damage.

Nike is one of the leading brands when it comes to sportswear, offering the best basketball sneakers for outdoor. Nike provides intense comfort and ease and offers a variety of options in basketball shoes for youth.

We know that it is difficult for you to decide on which Nike basketball shoes are the best, so we have reviewed the top 7 best Nike basketball shoes for you.

Our Recommended Top Rated Nike Basketball Shoes

• KD Trey 5 V
• Nike Air Force Low
• Hyperdunk 2015 PRM

The perfect basketball shoes will not make your feet ache, rather they will reduce and alleviate your pain and protect the wear and tear of your foot tissue muscles.

The best thing about Nike basketball shoes is that they aggravate the speed but mitigate the harm caused to your foot.

Nike basketball shoes are designed by carefully evaluating the needs of professional sportsmen and then crafting the technology to benefit the players. These shoes are not only versatile but also have a certain grace in their designs and structure.

Best Nike Basketball Shoes For Indoor And Outdoor

Shoes	Image	Top	Price
Nike Kyrie 4		Mid	Check Price
Nike Air Force 1 Low		Low	Check Price
Nike Hyperdunk 2015		High	Check Price
Nike Lebron Soldier XI		High	Check Price
Nike KD8		Low	Check Price
Nike Kobe X Low		Low	Check Price
Nike KD Trey 5 V		Mid	Check Price

1. Nike Kyrie 4 – New Nike Basketball Shoes

This particular basketball shoe comprises of a Herringbone sole pattern that helps to have a strong grip and make sure the player does not fall during the game.

Kyrie 4 is specially designed to keep in view the comfort and ease of the players.

It is completely synthetic and has a rubber sole. It also has a Nike zoom unit in the forefoot that enables the player to move swiftly while playing basketball. Not only is the shoe durable but it is also designed perfectly.

Nike Zoom Unit In The Forefoot

This feature is created for fast and easy cushioning. The players can move fast-paced and are comfortable while doing so.

This characteristic of the shoe is particularly useful in flat surface and wet areas where there is difficulty in moving and a chance for players to fall. This feature helps taking fast steps easy for the players.

Herringbone Sole Pattern

This pattern provides an extremely friendly and easy athletic performance and averts the players from sliding sideways. It gives the player more control when positioning themselves on the ground or running after the ball.

While playing on damp surfaces, this sole pattern helps to dry up the water in the soles and improve grip and performance.

Cost And Value

The durability and effectiveness of these shoes are the basic criteria for the efficiency and reliability of these shoes. The players who have previously used these shoes are always in awe of the shoes. This shows that they are extremely cost-effective and one of the best Nike basketball sneakers for outdoors

The latest version of Kyrie basketball shoes Kyrie 5 is also available in the market.

2. Nike Air Force 1 Low – Nike Womens Basketball Shoes

Air Force Low is composed of extremely high-quality leather and synthetic. The rubber soles make it very comfortable for the wearers to use it for the long term. Low top design with padded collar is formulated specially to provide ease and make your feet provide freedom from pain.

The shoe also includes a perforated toe detail which helps to provide further relief to the big toe. Shaft measures around 3.22″ from the arch to aid in keeping feet dry and comfortable. The shoe is embossed with an ‘A’ to mark the shoe’s iconic first appearance in the market.

 Low Top Design With Padded Ankle Collar

The low top design makes it easier for the player to place his foot inside the shoe. Furthermore, the padded ankle collar provides support to the ankle and resists twisting, providing smooth transitions and comfortable but swift motions.

Perforated Toe Front

Perforated toe front helps to keep pressure off the front toe and provides a pain-free experience to basketball players. This feature provides relief and enables the players to move fast-paced.

Cost And Value

A good pair of basketball sneakers for outdoors should feel lightweight and protect the feet from any kind of discomfort. That is exactly what these shoes do. Hence, they provide a high amount of value. The cost is comparably lower than other shoes and hence the shoes are a good choice in terms of cost and value

3. Nike Hyperdunk 2015 PRM  – Youth Nike Basketball Shoes

Nike hyperdunk 2015 are premium styled basketball sneakers that are made of synthetic and imported rubber. The shoes feature Zoom air units at the heels and forefoot to multiply the speediness and provide rapid movements while playing.

The design provides comfort and suppleness. The design is not only state-of-the-art comfortable but also focuses on the look of the shoes.

Nike Hyperdunk 2015 is created in a way to complement the resilience and support of the shoes while simultaneously focusing on the breathability factor.

These shoes also feature solid rubber with herringbone pattern and Nike Zoom cushioning to reduce friction and increase the speed. This helps to make sure that the player does not feel alleviated in any way while sporting these shoes.

Strong Rubber Including A Herringbone Pattern

Herringbone pattern provides a strong clasp and more control even on damp ground.  The herringbone pattern is perfectly designed in accordance with basketball. This provides more support and stability for quick starts and supports. The soles also repel sliding and descending while turning around or pivoting. 

Nike Zoom Cushioning

Nike Zoom helps to soften the steps taken to run on the ground. It eases the pressure on feet and helps to move around at the highest speed possible. This features give runners an advance while protecting their ankles and boosting their speed.

Heel And Forefoot Zoom Air Units

Zoom Air units help you run faster than a horse. With each step you take, the pressure is applied to the Zoom Air units that releases the verve and motions.

The zoom air units protect muscles and tendons from punitive damage, making it the best choice for basketball sneakers for outdoor games. This improves performance while playing basketball and gives a notion to the players to be in their best form.

Cost And Value

The cost of these shoes is considerably higher. But when compared to the value they bring at being the ultimate package of comfort, ease, speediness, and safety, it is worth it. The shoes enable you to run fast while also protecting your soles and ankles. This shows that the cost is nothing as compared to the benefits it brings.

4. Nike Lebron Soldier XI – Nike Basketball Shoes For Men 

Nike Lebron Soldier XI is a total support system for your feet. The innovative design completely locks and protects your feet inside the shoe with their four unique straps that are elastic and comfortable on the feet.

The shoe locks down feet without putting any weight or pressure on the feet, making sure they stay comfortable inside the shoes. The built of the shoe is synthetic, created with imported rubber. The synthetic sole is fashioned in a way to provide complete support to the wearer.

To provide backend support, the shaft measures roughly 3.15″ from the arch. The shoe offers a huge variety of colors and is a great choice for basketball players

Four Hook And Loop Elastic Straps

The design offers four hook and loop elastic straps to provide better support and adjustment. The straps allow the foot to breathe but while being secure in the shoe. This also benefits people with wide feet as the design enables them to close the straps according to their ease and shape of the foot.

Rubber Sole

The rubber sole attached at the bottom gives fast traction and easy movements. The soles are created to give the basketball player an edge and make you feel like you are playing basketball on a cloud. The sole has a multi-surface to avoid abrasion and collision on the ground.

Cost And Value

The shoe is priced a little high as compared to the value it is providing in terms of speed. But if compared in terms of ease and comfort for the shoe wearer, this price is amazing.

The straps are a great touch in this price to provide backing to the soles and to make sure a strong grip is maintained.

5. NIKE KD 8 – Nike Zoom Basketball Shoes

Nike KD 8 shoes are exceptionally stylish, fabric woven shoes created for lightweight support and acute care of the soles. The design features laces to carefully tie up the shoes, making it durable and sports friendly.

This design is beneficial for wide foot players as it offers plenty of space in the shoe to contain a foot which is as far as 7” wide. The shoe is fashioned 4” high for ample support and structure giving you full sense to control and regulate your speed while playing basketball.

These shoes also feature high-quality visible Zoom Air to improve the speed and add zing to your basketball hustle. The Zoom Air unit adds a proper bounce in your speed to allow you less effort and far greater running speed.

The design is formulated to give you greater control over your body while playing basketball outdoors and add flexibility in movements. These shoes are a perfect built for professional sports. In addition to that, Flywire cables help you to keep a stronger and more firm hold on the ground while playing basketball.

Lace-Up Closure

The lace-up closure helps to lock down the foot in the shoe and gives an option to the wearer to tie itup according to the desired breathability, making sure more air can travel to the foot.

Additionally, it also provides comfort in terms of sweating as the basketball players can always adjust it according to their desire and comfort level.

Fabric Woven

Since it is created using fabric, it is not only significantly soft but also flexible and supple to wear. It also allows the air to flow freely between the shoe and the foot.

This option makes it very useful for people who face fungible infections on foot by playing sports such as basketball. This provides excessive comfort to sportsmen while they are on the move for sports.

Elegant Design

The design and shape of the shoe are carefully crafted keeping in view the need to be modish while playing sports. These shoes come in a huge variety of colors and textures to match the needs of everyone.

The overall design suits the young players who want to look stylish while playing basketball.

 Flywire Cables On The Forefoot

Flywire cables minimize the damage and harm done to your tendons and muscles and maximize the level of support and strength it gives to your muscles while playing sports that require extraordinary physical energy.

This feature is manufactured to help your feet be safe and secured and reduce the chances of it getting twisted or turned while pivoting or turning during a game.

Cost And Value

The shoes provide the best value and are one of the top choices for being the perfect choice of basketball shoes for youth at this cost. It offers style and class to the wearers. More importantly, it offers comfort and security to the users as it protects the ankle from twisted.

It also offers the users a choice to lace up the shoe as loose or tight as the user wants to set it. All of these features prove that the shoe is worth the cost as it provides a greater amount of value as basketball sneakers for outdoor

6. Nike Kobe X Low – Kobe Basketball Shoes 

The Nike Men’s Kobe X Low shoes have a transparent upper to provide breathability and durability and the partial bootie provides a passage for air to transfer through the shoe wall to the feet.

The vintage 180 degree Nike Zoom allows you to move around like a helicopter and helps you bounce swiftly as it decreases the density by allowing air to pass more freely, thus helping you elevate more quickly and comfortably.

The outsole is extra grippy to allow you to take a rapid turn without making you slip on the ground. Carbon fiber outrigger feature improves the overall stability.

Moreover, it gives you an exclusive edge during sharp cuts which makes it a great choice as basketball sneakers for outdoors.

180º Nike Zoom Unit

This feature helps to surge and intensify the speed while playing basketball outdoors. This attribute makes it the best option for basketball shoes for youth.

The new advancement has improved the quality of by introducing the ultra-technology in the heels of the shoe for cushioning effect.

Outsole

The outsole is ultra-grippy to help you sustain the pressure and grip to the ground while traction and avoid bad cuts and sliding during the game. The outsole also enables appropriate ventilation and air exposure for the comfort of the feet.

Innovative Design

The design is innovative and exclusive in the market. The design offers many colors and due to the innovative design, it is one of the best basketball shoes for youth offered by Nike.

Cost And Value

Nike Men’s Kobe X Low Basketball Sneakers Shoes are providing great value. The shoes are a bit pricier than all the other shoes reviewed here but compared with the value and features that it brings, it is a good investment if you want a good pair of nike basketball sneakers for outdoors.

7. Nike KD Trey 5 V – Cheap Nike Basketball Shoes

Built with imported fabric and light foam, these shoes are perfect as basketball sneakers for outdoors.

These shoes sport a rubber sole which has circles on the inner sole to provide first-class quality to the shoe wearers. The shoe offers excellent grip and control due to its forefoot zoom air unit and provides an immaculate rubber outsole for the safety and precaution during a fast pull.

The shoes contain a lacing system to provide security to foot and mesh upper makes things super comfortable for the wearers. The thickness of Nike KD trey 5 V provides ultimate support and lockdown.

These shoes also come with an outrigger on the midsole to prevent any sort of injuries due to swift foot gestures or turns.

Mesh Upper And Light Foam

The shoe has a mesh upper and light foam to be a cause of comfort. The feet feel contained and at home in this particular pair of shoes due to light foam attached to the shoe heel. 

Internal Heel Counter

The internal heel counter is an element of safety as it prevents falls or slippage during outdoor games, thus providing a safe zone for the foot.

Thick Padding Collar

Thick padding collar protects the ankles and fore thumb and avoids any trauma to the muscles during extreme exertion.

Forefoot Zoom Air Unit

Zoom Air unit located at the forefoot helps increase and multiply the speed by making steps feels as light as air.

The Zoom air technology has now become a necessity in every basketball shoes for outdoors because it provides the proper spring and bounces for proper cushioning

 Cost And Value

KD Trey 5 V is not very costly as it comes with a complete package and is considered one of the lightest shoes. This quality has earned it the title for the best Nike basketball shoes.

The shoe is the best option for the long term so the cost and value go hand in hand for this budget-friendly pair of shoes.

Conclusion 

These are the 7 best Nike basketball shoes. Designed to help you absorb the shock in the ankle caused by constant jumping, these basketball shoes will help you play better.

By using these shoes, you can improve your stability and performance and emerge as a winner at the ground.

Have you been on the hunt for best women’s basketball shoes and can’t seem to find any appropriate articles? If so, then you are at the right place because we have a lot in store to offer you with.

The industry of basketball shoes has gained phenomenal recognition in the past few years.

People have understood how important it is to have the right pair of shoes when they are playing professional sport.

Some of the below mentioned products are also best outdoor basketball sneakers.

Without further ado, take a look at all of our recommendations.

Best Women’s Basketball Shoes For Your Next Game

Shoes	Image	Sole	Price
Nike Women Hyperdunk 2016 TB		Fabric and Synthetic	Check Price
UA Jet Mid		Rubber	Check Price
COSDN Womens Fashion		Rubber	Check Price
Nike Womens Court Borough Mid		Rubber	Check Price
PUMA Women's Sky II HI Futur Minimal		Rubber	Check Price
ASICS Gel-Spotlyte-U		Rubber	Check Price
Nike Womens Air Force 1 '07 Mid		Rubber	Check Price
Nike Zoom Shift		Synthetic	Check Price
JIYE Women's Breathable Flyknit		Fabric	Check Price

1. Nike Women’s Hyperdunk 2016 TB – Best Basketball Shoes For Girls

Not every product that a company launches is meant to impress the masses. Sometimes, they launch a product and it doesn’t resonates with their customers and sometimes, a product that they weren’t hoping would impress their customers crosses their own previously built records.

The Nike Women’s Hyperdunk 2016 is that one product that impressed the masses like anything.

In 2015, Nike didn’t do very well when it came to making sales and getting on top but in 2016, they have surely bounced back with all their might and the Hyperdunk 2016 is a basketball shoe that no woman can miss.

Features

• It features Hyperdunk pattern 2016 that is one of the best traction pattern available in the market
• It features ZOOM cushioning
• It comes in fused mesh providing maximum stability to the player
• It offers spot-on fitting

So, let’s move on to all these features in a bit more details so you would know what you will be getting if you do end up buying Nike Women’s Hyperdunk 2016.

Traction

Whether you’re a man or a woman, what is the first thing you look for in a basketball shoe?

We say traction, isn’t that correct?

We thought so. The traction pattern in Nike Women’s Hyperdunk 2016 is enigmatic. The company has finally moved on from their herringbone traction and the pattern now features blade like pattern that provides maximum grip on court.

You could say the pattern is very similar to that of Kyrie 2. Hyperdunk has a strong pattern that ensures stability and longevity while playing in rough conditions.

Cushion

Nike has finally decided to bring their ZOOM cushioning back in some of their models and lucky for you, Hyperdunk is one of those.

The shoe doesn’t feature an unlocked zoom but even in the midsole, you will feel the response of the cushioning really well. The push-offs are really quick and landing is also pretty solid. It provides you with all the impact protection you need as well.

ZOOM was designed to feel quick and there are no complaints when it comes to the response rate in Hyperdunk.

Material

The only backlash we felt while playing in these shoes was the material.

Even though it is breathable and the mesh is pretty durable, the only complaint we do have is that Nike didn’t use mesh from 2016 lineup. Instead, they use the same mesh that was used in their 2013 editions.

However, mesh does feel good on the upper side and it is pretty durable. It fits perfectly well with the feet and we have no complaints regarding its performance. It’s just that we were expecting something a bit more upgraded when it came to Hyperdunk 2016.

Fit

The fitting is excellent. No complaints there at all.

Most of the users have loved how they don’t have to tighten or loosen the laces up even one inch.

Hyperdunk comes in collaboration of the Flywire system with the tongue wrap system. It knocks the feet down perfectly well and you don’t feel any kind of resistance from your feet while you are on court.

There is pretty much room at the forefront which makes Hyperdunk highly comfortable for playing basketball.

Bottom Line

Hyperdunk 2016 is women’s basketball shoe that provides the player with comfort, solid traction, amazing fit and great cushioning. It is a shoe that should be on your “must haves” list.

2. Under Armour Women’s Jet Mid – Under Armour Womens Basketball Shoes

Under Armour is known for manufacturing some of the best basketball shoes that you find in the market. And when it comes to buying best basketball shoes for women, they do have a lot to offer you in that regard.

The next product that we have added to our list is Under Armour Women’s Jet Mid Basketball Shoe, one of the most stylish and performance oriented shoes that you will find in the market.

So without further ado, let’s talk about Under Aarmour Jet Mid Basketball Shoe.

Features

• It comes in numerous colors to choose from
• The Jet Mid comes in a highly affordable price
• It features EVA foam that works great
• It comes in textile and synthetic mesh so you have options to choose from

We have just told you the main features of Under Armour Jet Mid Shoe. Now, if you are looking for more details, just continue reading

Traction

First things first, the traction pattern of Under ArmourJet Mid shoe is pretty solid and unique. Most of the users who played consistently wearing these shoes have confirmed that the traction pattern makes lateral movements quite easy for the players.

It provides maximum grip on court and makes sure the player keeps its feet intact while playing in rough conditions. The shoe also works pretty well for outdoor courts.

Cushion

The most important thing that we want to mention regarding the Under Armour Jet Mid is its EVA foam.

Under Armour has made a leap while integrating this cushion in the shoe and we have to say they have succeeded in providing maximum comfort to the players. The cushion provides amazing comfort while playing and also offers great responsiveness.

The Jet Mid comes in a compression molded EVA midsole that offer a lightweight and highly supportive ride. If you love playing while remaining in your comfort zone, then Under Armour Jet Mid is you go-to basketball shoe.

Fit

The only fitting some of the users had with Under Armour Jet Mid was regarding its fitting. Some users have said that the shoe is quite narrow at the forefoot and makes their feet suffocate while playing.

If you happen to be someone who wanted to buy Under Armour Jet Mid but have wide feet from the forefoot, we would suggest you take a look at our other recommendations.

Material

The material is also pretty amazing and it adds to the style of Under Armour Jet Mid. We love how company has launched this basketball shoe in numerous colors so that women can choose their own color according to their style

The material seems pretty stylish but some users have had issues that it isn’t that durable and may rip off after sometime. Well, it also depends on how you choose to use it so for us, the Under Armour Jet Mid is good to go.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a basketball shoe that offers amazing comfort and support while playing, then Under Armour Jet Mid is your winner. You can also choose this shoe from a number of colors.

3. COSDN Women’s Fashion – 

Most of the people usually wonder will they have to empty their pockets in order to get a premium quality shoes that too only from Nike.

Well, we would like to tell you that not always. We understand that Nike and Adidas have set way too high standards that are not easy to attain by any brnad for that matter but there are a few companies that are also exceptional in that case.

COSDN is home to amazing looking shoes for women and they come in extremely economical price ranges. Their women basketball shoes are to die for and they offer extreme comfort and performance capabilities that you won’t be able to fathom.

The COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes is one of their most recognized basketball shoes for women and they come with the following distinguished features.

Features

• These shoes are extremely fashionable and you can easily pair them with your daily clothes.
• It comes in a Space PU leather mesh surface upper that has venting holes making it breathable and easy to play in.
• The outsole features a rugged rubber that offers high friction helping you bounce at a high rate during the game
• It is suitable for all seasons

So, these were the main features of this shoe. For further details, keep on reading.

Traction

Traction is always the first thing that comes to our minds whenever we are on the hunt for basketball shoes. The traction pattern of this basketball shoe is quitechick and it doesn’t take debris along with it at all. It is strong and sturdy and provides you with all the bounciness you need to up your game.

Cushion

The cushioning of COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes is also pretty comfortable. It will be like you are not wearing anything at all.

No pressure and no stiffness. Another thing that is worth mentioning about these shoes is that they do not need any time to break in. Just slid your feet in and you are good to go.

Fit

True to your size. The COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes will fit perfectly to your feet without any kind of stiffness or pressure. The shoe has a wide forefront and if you have wide feet, these shoes will provide you with all the comfort you had been looking for.

Material

The best thing we found about COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes is its material. The upper mesh is so soft and highly durable. It is breathable and doesn’t let your feet sweat even in toughest of summer games. You will feel extremely light while wearing these shoes.

So, these were all the details you needed for COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes and we have to say, it is one of the best basketball shoes that we found in the market.

Bottom Line

The COSDN Fashion High-Top Cool Basketball Shoes is a premium quality basketball shoe that has every feature of a high-end basketball shoe except for the price.

It is highly economical and the durability of these shoes is worth nothing. All in all, these are the perfect pair of basketball shoes if you have a tight shopping budget.

4. Nike Women’s Court Borough Mid – 

When we talk about buying basketball shoes, even though we emphasize on buying economical and affordable shoes but still, we cannot let Nike out of our sight because this brand has our heart for sure.

The next recommendation that we have regarding best basketball shoes for women is a product from Nike. This one comes under their more affordable line of basketball shoes so there isn’t something that you really need to worry about when it comes to the price tag.

We took this basketball shoe under consideration because if you are someone who plays for long hours and is looking for something that will keep them comfortable for constant playing, then Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe is your savior.

Without further ado, let’s talk about Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe.

Features

• It is true to size and extremely comfortable
• It comes in a very stylish appeal and looks great for female basketball players
• The design is extremely versatile
• The upper mesh of the shoe is breathable

Traction

If you love playing outdoors, then you need a basketball shoe that has a solid traction pattern and comes in a rubber sole.

Lucky for you, the Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe has both these qualities. It works perfectly well for playing outdoors and provides your feet with maximum grip that you need while making transitions.

Cushion

The Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe comes in an extremely lightweight design that is beneficial for all kinds of players.

The cushioning of this shoe is extremely solid and it is highly comfortable. It doesn’t cause any kind of irritation while playing and keeps your feet intact. The cushioning also provides you with the acute responsiveness you need for the perfect bounce.

Fit

Even though we found the fitting of this shoe to be true to size. We have heard that some players faced issues with that.

We would suggest that you do not place an order for this online and buy Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe in person after trying them out. It is always better to get shoes in person instead of ordering them virtually so you do not face an issue regarding the size.

Material

We loved the upper mesh of Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe. It is soft, durable, flexible and breathable.

It keeps your feet light even when you are playing under tough weather conditions. If you have sensitive feet and you would like to keep them protected from the scorching heat then you have a winner.

So, these were all the major details regarding Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe. For our final verdict, continue reading below.

Bottom Line

The Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe is one of the most affordable shoes you will find from Nike. It is amazingly manufactured and it is highly comfortable.

These shoes have all the necessary features that a player needs to up her game and for women, we highly recommend Nike’s Court Borough Mid Basketball Shoe.

5. PUMA Women’s Sky II HI Futur Minimal – Puma Basketball Shoes 

The one thing that we love about women’s basketball shoes is that how minimal yet chick they can be, both at the same time.

Keeping that minimal perspective in mind, we found Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe that you are just going to fall in love with.

The design of these shoes is so simple yet classy that we had to add this in our list of recommendations and worry not, style isn’t the only reason we chose to recommend this basketball shoe.

For those wondering, what is it about these basketball shoes that made us fall in love with, following information is strictly for you.

Features

• It comes in a very minimalistic design
• The shoe is highly stable and is one of the best shoes for ankle protection
• It has a lightweight structure and it has been manufactured by 100% synthetic fiber
• It boosts stability while playing outdoors

Traction

The traction pattern of Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe is pretty solid and since it has been made with a rubber sole, it provides all the grip a player needs while playing on outdoor courts.

The pattern of these shoes is really easy to clean and it doesn’t take any dirt or debris along which makes it perfect for outdoor games.

Cushion

The cushioning is the only shortcoming of Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe that we found.

The midsole don’t feature a responsive cushion that keeps its performance minimal. If a player wants her shoes to be highly responsiveness, then these basketball shoes aren’t meant for her.

However, shoes are highly comfortable while playing and they do not cause any kind of stiffness during the game which has its plus points.

Fit

The fitting of Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe is also pretty amazing. It doesn’t suffocate the feet at all and there is enough room for those players who have wide feet.

The lockdown is also solid and the ankle support is just the best you will find in any other basketball shoes.

The ankle shaft of Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe is pretty high and cinches the feet down snuggly thanks to the two narrow Velcro straps. So, if you happen to be someone who has faced a lot of issues with the lockdown, these basketball shoes are not going to disappoint you in that domain.

Material

Last but not the least, these shoes are manufactured by high synthetic leather which seem pretty stylish to most of the players but some have said it to be a little extra.

The upper isn’t breathable at all which makes the feet sweat in warm weather conditions but for playing in summers, these shoes are good to go. The leather is also highly durable so you don’t have to worry about it ripping apart.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a basketball shoe that will provide you with great impact protection and amazing lockdown, then Puma’s Sky II Hi Futur Minimal Basketball Shoe is your winner.

These shoes are highly stylish and will provide you with an amazing gaming experience for sure.

6. ASICS Gel-Spotlyte-U – Asics Basketball Shoes 

The ASICS Gel Spotlyte U are another one of the best basketball shoes you will find in the market for women.

When we were researching for articles, one thing that we had in mind was that we wanted to make this list versatile. We wanted to add high-end basketball shoes along with highly affordable articles and that’s when we found these basketball shoes.

We have to say that ASICS Gel Spotlyte U Basketball Shoes are another aesthetically pleasing basketball shoes that we found and we love that they come in neutral colors that you can choose from.

So, without further delay, let’s talk about the features that ASICS Gel Spotlyte U possess,

Features

• It offers great ankle support and protection
• The traction pattern of these shoes is affective on all kinds of surfaces
• The shoes are highly durable and feature leather suede upper
• The shoe looks very stylish and goes along with all kinds of outfits

Traction

By now you must be wondering that why we always talk about traction first. The answer to that question is that traction is the most important thing to consider when buying basketball shoes.

That is mainly because if you basketball shoes won’t stay on the court and have zero grip, they are of no use.

Anyhow, the traction of ASICS Gel Spotlyte U is pretty amazing and it works great on all kinds of surfaces. You can easily play outdoor and indoor with these shoes.

Cushion

The cushioning of these shoes is lightweight and it keeps your feet warm and cozy. It is highly comfortable and keeps your feet in place, providing enough responsiveness during the game.

The midsole of ASICS Gel Spotlyte U also features a cushion that makes it easier for you to transition and also provides you with a small amount of boost while making it to the hoop.

Fit

The fitting is true to size but those people who have wide feet, the ASICS Gel Spotlyte U isn’t made for you. The narrow toe box makes it difficult for players with wide feet to play and also causes discomfort.

The lockdown and ankle support is the best thing about these basketball shoes. It keeps your feet in place and allows you to show your full potential on court.

Material

The upper of this shoe is durable because it has been manufactured while using synthetic leather. The shoe isn’t breathable so it isn’t perfect for playing in summer but it works amazingly well in winters.

The material also won’t rupture and will last you for a very long time.

Bottom Line

Given the price and features, we have to say that ASICS Gel Spotlyte U are one of the most amazing and responsive basketball shoes you will find in the market.

These come in numerous colors and have an amazing style that will go well along with your personality. All in all, we highly recommend ASICS Gel Spotlyte U Basketball Shoes for women.

7. Nike Women’s Air Force 1 ’07 Mid – Best Womens Basketball Shoes For Flat Feet

Just by reading the name of our next recommendation, you must’ve assumed that we are in awe of Nike but that isn’t the truth we tell you.

The reason why we have recommended Nike again and again for women’s basketball shoes is because the brand has manufactured some of the best basketball shoes for women that you will find in the market.

They have offered some of the best basketball shoes for planters for those who suffer through it and they have also manufactured some of the best basketball shoes for flat feet that you find in the market.

We agree that their prices might be a bit high as compared to other brands but give the features and quality their basketball shoes come with, we have to say that the price is pretty much justified.

So, moving on, the Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes is another one of their most applauded articles and we have mentioned all the details regarding this article down below.

Features

• The design of this shoe is extremely elegant for women
• The shoe has been made while keeping durability in mind
• It is manufactured by using genuine leather that is not going to tear for a very long time
• It features a polyurethane midsole that keeps you comfortable for longer playing hours

Traction

The traction pattern of Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes is pretty solid like all other Nike shoes. The sole is made up of rubber that makes it ideal for outdoor use.

The best part of the traction is that the pattern well-spaced which doesn’t let debris or dirt get stuck into it. One or more jerks and it will wear off easily.

Cushion

The cushioning of this shoe is also one of a kind. After a lot of research, we finally found a basketball shoe whose midsole features cushion providing the players with all the comfort they need while playing.

The Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes feature a polyurethane cushion that provides a comfy feel to player and keeps her comfortable if she wants to play for longer hours.

Fit

The fitting of this basketball shoe is true to size and you can rest assured for that. you can easily buy it online as well because all the players have guaranteed this shoe fits perfectly.

One more thing that we should add here is that Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes offers enough toe space that your feet can breathe. It doesn’t cause any kind of discomfort while playing.

Material

The Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes features an enhanced mesh on the upper that ensures your feet are able to attain air while playing.

The leather is pretty durable and these shoes are going to last for a very long time.

All in all, these shoes are one heck of a purchase we tell you. These are breathable and come in black color that will go along with almost all of your outfits effortlessly.

Bottom Line

The best part about Nike Air Force 1 Mid Gymnastics Shoes is that these shoes are highly affordable and come with a whole lot of features.

You are going to enjoy all your time you spend while playing in these basketball shoes.

8. Nike Zoom Shift – Nike Womens Basketball Shoes

Nike has dropped many bombs when it comes to budget models and some of them we have mentioned in this article.

Another one of those bombs is known as Nike Zoom Shift which is one of the most budget friendly basketball shoes you will find in the market.

Even though it isn’t official but we do think that this basketball shoe is the sequel to Nike’s Hyper Shift. Can you recall them? Those shoes were also legit regarding their price tag and performance.

The question is, if Nike Zoom Shift is able to bring the same versatility to the table that Hyper shift did? We have all your answers down below.

Features

• It features Zoom Air technology
• It is a mid-top model
• It features Nike’s regular mesh which is highly concentrated
• It features a very dense traction pattern

Traction

Nike has got everything perfectly right this time with their traction pattern. The pattern features Zoom Shift because the brand has been trying really hard to replace the herringbone traction and they are almost near to finding the crunch.

The outsole performs extremely well on any type of court and when we say any type, we mean all kinds of basketball courts that are out there.

The traction has a strong stopping power, great bite along with respectable moving coverage. Once you put these on, there is no chance of slipping at all.

Cushion

This basketball shoe has exclusively designed for the point guards. It offers great responsiveness that all the guards will thoroughly enjoy. There is also a small Zoom Air Unit in the forefoot but one can hardly feel it.

Responsiveness and speed of the player is the number 1 priority here because of the Phylon midsole. So, basically, this is a more budget friendly version of Kyrie 3.

Fit

The fitting surprises us the most. Given the price and the fitting it comes with, it doesn’t feel like a cheap basketball shoe at all.

The mesh and nylon combination works perfectly and it provides all the comfort that is required. The shoes are also solidly built and they’re not going to rupture for a very long time. Another thing that is worth mentioning is that Nike Zoom Shift Basketball Shoes do not require any break-in time.

Material

As for the material, Nike has changed thing a little bit in order to introduce a more budget friendly setup which doesn’t look cheap at all.

It features Nike’s regular mesh which is breathable and feels really soft. It is highly flexible and fits around the feet like cloth.

Bottom Line

This is one of the best basketball shoes for support. It is highly comfortable and durable in every context.

The Nike Zoom Shift is something we absolutely feel in love with because of its convenience, traction and amazing price.

9. JIYE Women’s Breathable Flyknit  – Cheap Womens Basketball Shoes

Last but definitely not the least, Jiye Women’s Breathable FlyKnit Sneakers are also among the best basketball shoes for women that you will find in the market and online.

When we were on the hunt for basketball shoes for women, we knew that we will have to experiment with underrated brands and that is why we found these pair of shoes.

The FlyKnit Sneakers by JIYE is known for offering the most powerful cushioning that you will find in any basketball shoes. These basketball shoes can also be used by men because they come in such a design that is highly neutral.

Features

• These basketball shoes feature that famous FlyKnit Technology
• The cushioning of these shoes is impeccable
• The soles of these shoes are said to be non-slippery
• It suits almost any sport and can be used by either gender

So, these are the basic features of JIYE Flyknit Sneakers. In order to get more details, take a look at the information given below.

Material

The JIYE Flyknit Sneakers feature a very reliable mesh that will keep your feet in a very calm environment. The shoes are breathable which its plus point is because you can use it any season.

Another thing that is worth mentioning about the material is that it is durable which means the JIYE Flyknit Sneakers are going to be with you for a very long time.

Cushion

As mentioned before, the JIYE Flyknit Sneakers Is said to have the most powerful cushioning that has ever existed.

It features the FlyKnit technology that just adds to its credibility. All the players that have used these basketball shoes have appreciated its cushioning and the boost responsiveness it offers.

Fit

These shoes are also extremely lightweight and remain true to your size. The ankle support is also commendable and they do not bother you at all while you play.

The reliable lacing system ensures that you get a customized fit which makes it perfect for playing for longer hours. The well-padded interior keeps your feet at the optimal temperature for unparalleled comfort when using.

Traction

The outsole comes in a heavy duty rubber that ensures your feet won’t lose their grip while playing. You can use these basketball shoes for outdoors and indoors.

The unique traction pattern is there to keep your feet in line when making difficult transitions.

These are one of the most economical basketball shoes that we found and they work amazingly well for both genders.

Bottom Line

All in all, if you are looking for a basketball shoe that comes in a unique pattern and will last you for a very long time, you have a winner.

The JIYE Flyknit Sneakers are perfect for those who looking for quality and budget friendly basketball shoes.

Buying Guide For Best Women’s Basketball Shoes

Finding the best basketball shoes for women can take a lot of effort. From choosing the perfect design to the traction pattern to being okay with the comfort, there are a lot of things that need to be considered.

There are few common mistakes that people usually make while buying a basketball shoe and we have highlighted some of them below.

Focusing too much on the design

The first and the most common mistake that buyers usually make when buying basketball shoes is that they choose a pair of shoes based on its design and how elegant it looks.

Normally, when you’re buying formal or casual shoes, this isn’t a mistake but a necessity but when you are buying sports gear, design and style should be the last thing to be considered on your list.

Choosing the wrong size

This is another one of the common mistakes people usually make but they don’t understand it until its too late.

Most of the basketball shoes need some time to break in. Some are narrow at the forefoot while some fit perfectly. We have seen that some buyers immediately buy a pair of shoes because they think it works perfectly even though they say there is a bit of discomfort regarding the fit.

Usually basketball shoes adjust after some time but it will only happen if your fitting is fine from the beginning. Always check your shoes twice by walking around in the shoe room. If you feel even a little bit of pressure at your toes, don’t buy it.

Not checking the return policy

This is one of the biggest mistakes we have seen buyers make. A lot of times, we have seen that people are satisfied with their purchase at the moment of buying but as soon as they get home, all hell breaks loose.

You need to ensure that the product you’re buying has a return policy so in case you want to exchange or return it, you won’t face an issue.

So, these are the three most common mistakes people make while purchasing basketball shoes. If you think there is another point that should be added here, do let us know through the comments below.

Conclusion

As you have read, we have provided you with a list of top 9 basketball shoes for women. All of our recommendations have been well-sought and we have suggested these shoes after a lot of consideration.

We hope this article was helpful in order for you to make a choice. In case, you have any queries, do let us know through the comments below.

I think you’d agree:

There is no such thing as basketball shoes made only for youth. And if there does not exist such a category, it means that you cannot define best youth basketball shoes with help of clear differentiators.

However:

It is a matter of fact, that due to certain reasons young basketball players prefer a particular type of shoes; the criteria are based on factors such as colors, shape, purpose (urban fashion) and innovation.

In this guide we have compiled the reviews of 10 basketball sneakers that are considered super fit for youth.

Best Youth Basketball Shoes [Our Top Picks]

Shoes	Image	Rating (1-5)	Price
Nike Kobe 11 Elite Low		5	Check Price
Adidas Superstar		5	Check Price
Nike Air Force 1 Low		5	Check Price
Under Armour Jet Mid		5	Check Price
Adidas Isolation 2		4.5	Check Price
Nike Jordan Air 10 Retro		4.5	Check Price
Nike Kids Team Hustle D7		4.5	Check Price
NIKE KD 8		5	Check Price
AND1 Show Out		4	Check Price
Under Armour Curry 3ZERO		4.5	Check Price

1. Nike Kobe 11 Elite Low – Best Basketball Shoes For Kids

Well:

You take a look at this shoe and you know why is it considered one of the top basketball sneakers for youth. It is so rich in color and so chic in its shape, that there is no wonder if young players fall for it.

Here’s a little detail about the features:

Traction

The traction is simply super with a diamond pattern sole. This kind of sole is hard to find on any other Nike shoe; the sole is made of solid or translucent rubber.

Cushioning

The cushioning of this shoe consists of one full-length unit of Nike Air Zoom and Lunarlon. Zoom is air-pressurized unit with tensile fibers that give you a boost in case of pressure and Lunarlonis made off soft and responsive foam.

Material

This shoe’s upper is made of FlyKnit and there is a little amount of TPU fibers. While FlyKnit provides somewhat ventilation, the purpose of TPU fibers is to increase grip and durability.

Lockdown 

This shoe comes with a traditional lockdown with a traditional lacing system. Due to this lacing system and good padding on tongue and inner collar, the wearers enjoy a medium-level lockdown on their feet.

Youth Factor

So, what makes this sneaker one of the best basketball sneakers for youth? Well, to start with it is because of the big range of colorways that this sneaker comes in – black horse, hone, oreo, red horse and purple horse etc., then it is also because of its urban life-friendly shape of these sneakers.

Here is everything that you need to know about pros and cons:

This shoe seems to be a mixed bag of everything.

Bottom Line 

This shoe is great in terms of cushioning because of full-length units of Zoom and Lunarlon; however, when it comes to traction, the translucent rubber sole fails to perform as well as the solid rubber one. Yet, this is definitely one of the ideal basketball shoes for youth.

2. Adidas Originals Superstar – Best Basketball Shoes For Kids

Speaking of youth, you have to consider teenagers and kids who are into basketball and who are considered youth.

Adidas Originals Superstar, as the name suggests, is a shoe made for a basketball junkie with a super star lifestyle – one of the best shoe from kids’ basketball shoes.

Here’s our take on the most important features.

Traction 

A rubber cupsole with herringbone pattern ensures that the wearer of this shoe enjoys the best traction on all types of surfaces. Apart from making this shoe a style statement, this herringbone style pattern is one of the two main reasons why this is a sneaker for good traction.

Cushioning 

Adidas Superstar comes with Adidas’s famous boost cushioning. The concept of boost is based on using TPU for compression and reaction to it. When sole comes under pressure, TPU provides good shock absorption and then TPU cells gives the wearer a bounce back.

Material 

So, this shoe’s material (used on top) is leather. Either you’re a leather fan or you’re not, nonetheless there is no denying that not only this material is considered the best for durability, longevity and lockdown, but it is also waterproof.

Lockdown 

This shoe has a pretty standard lockdown with traditional lacing system, standard tongue and a sturdy material (leather). A standard TPU cover for the toe adds a little bit to the protection and lockdown.

Youth Factor

How well this sneaker performs on youth factor meter? Well, so much so that it is used more in a casual and urban setting than on basketball courts. It has a universal appeal and a multi-purpose shoe.

This was it about features; here is the detail of most prominent pros and cons.

So, while leather provides better lockdown and durability, this also makes the shoe unbreathable.

Bottom Line

In terms of traction this shoe is very good and in terms of cushioning, due to Boost technology, you can give it at least 4/5 stars. What really makes it super fit for youth is its all-purpose design. It

Also Read: Best Trampoline With Basketball Hoop Reviews

3. Nike Air Force 1 Low – Best Basketball Shoes For Youth

Nike Air Force 1 is a sweet spot between style and sports; so yes, it definitely deserves to be called a sneaker for young people.

Here is our take on the most important features.

Traction 

With a tough rubber sole and pivot point circles in the forefoot and heel, this shoe provides the best possible traction on all kinds of courts. The pattern of the solid rubber sole makes easier the multi-directional movements that a player needs.

Cushioning 

For cushioning, Nike placed a full-length Air unit in the midsole. Air Zoom is an air pressurized unit with tensile fibers; when you apply pressure on this unit, the fibers push it back and thus offer a good bounce.

Material 

Just like Adidas Originals Superstar, this shoe’s material is also synthetic and leather. There can be problems with this material, but mostly it is known for merits like good grip, durability and being waterproof.

Lockdown 

This shoe also fails impress in terms of lockdown; it is not that it lacks a lockdown, but it is pretty standard with standard lacing system and a tongue with minimal padding.

Youth Factor

So, how youth-friendly is this shoe? Well, it is a standard Nike style-statement sneaker. The kind of sneakers that you would put on to a casual meetup or while traveling or basically anywhere.

Here’s a look at all important pros and cons.

This shoe makes a good style statement, but lacks at a few much needed details.

Bottom Line 

If you want a chic sneaker that is good for urban life and not bad for your regular basketball, this is the shoe to go for. With standard cushioning and traction, it is a decent basketball sneaker.

4. Under Armour Jet Mid – Best Basketball Shoes For Boys

If you’ve been through all these basketball shoes and you’re not really content with the style statement of all these sneakers, here is a pair of one of the best basketball shoes for boys.

Under Armour Jet Mid is known for both: its universal style statement and basketball usability.

Here is how we vetted these shoes and what we found out:

Traction 

This shoe is one of those that get a good grip on almost all sorts of courts as soon as they get a herringbone pattern rubber sole. This shoe has a one-piece thick rubber outsole and herringbone pattern on it makes it even better on dirty or clean courts.

Cushioning

This shoe has EVA foam midsole and insole. Why EVA foam matters a lot in terms of cushioning? It is because it has very good tensile strength and it is known for better shock absorption. However, it is yet not as good as technologically advanced Boost or Air cushioning.

Material

Under Armour used synthetic leather in the heel counter and toe of this shoe. However, this does not cover the bigger part of the shoe; shoe’s upper and sides are made of engineered mesh. Rest assured that wearer enjoys maximum breathability and their feet dry quick.

Lockdown 

This shoe has a good lace-up closure mechanism. The laces go from the bridge of the foot to almost upwards to the collar. The oval shoelaces and padded tongue of the shoe support the lacing-based lockdown mechanism.

Youth Factor

If there was a 0 to 10 youth factor meter, we would have marked this shoe at 7 because of dual color tone, spectacular design and style. This is definitely one of the shoes that a youth would wear to any casual gathering.

Take a look at all important pros and cons.

While mesh is the best material for breathability and it dries real quick, it is not as durable and sturdy as leather or other materials.

Bottom Line 

This shoe seems to be at crossroads of style and performance. While it looks hip and considered perfect for casual urban lifestyle, its solid rubber sole with herringbone pattern and its EVA cushioning make it a perfect shoe for basketball.

5. Adidas Isolation 2 – Adidas Youth Basketball Shoes

Well:

For starters, this is not yet another preschool basketball shoes pair. This is for grownups youngsters and the style statement is evident by the looks of this shoe.

Here is how we gauge it on basis of basic features.

Traction 

This shoe brings in something special when it comes to soles and traction. It is a solid rubber sole with herringbone pattern. So what’s so different? Well, the rubber sole is made of non-marking rubber; it is needless to say that your shoe will not leave its marks on any type of court surface.

Cushioning

This shoe has a very unique system for cushioning; Adidas used textured EVA foam in the midsole and the torsion system in the midfoot makes it possible for the wearer to evade shock and feel stability.

Material

The material that makes most of this shoe’s upper is synthetic leather; however, through a strip of mesh right on top of the bridge of wearer’s foot and though the perforations in synthetic leather upper, breathability has been made possible.

Lockdown

Adidas Isolation 2 is known for its snug fit and good quality lockdown. The padding, the raised tongue, medium collar and lacing system that enjoys a good grip on tongue, ensure that wearer enjoys a good lockdown.

Youth Factor 

You look at this shoe’s dual-color tone or the glittering tongue, and you can tell that yes this sneaker is made for youth … and yes, it is not to be confined to basketball courts, for it blends perfectly in any urban setting.

Here is everything about pros and cons.

The problem with leather is that even if you make perforations and have a little mesh on top, leather will leave very little room for air.

Bottom Line 

This shoe performs like a charm for traction, but cushioning is not really impressive. While leather is a sturdy materi

al and supports a good lockdown, it is not ideal for so many reasons.

6. Nike Air Jordan 10 Retro – Nike Youth Basketball Shoes

Here comes another set of basketball shoes for kids. From little girls and boys to teenagers, this is the shoe that you put on when you head for the basketball court.

Here’s a breakdown of its important features.

Traction

Unlike many other Nike shoes, this one does not have a Herringbone pattern. On a thick and solid rubber sole, there are stripes. They work great in all sorts of movements including linear or lateral footwork.

Cushioning 

Just like the traction, this shoe’s cushioning is also unique. They used a Phylon midsole and a full-length Zoom Air unit. We already know what is Zoom Air. Phylon is made of small EVA chunks that boost the cushioning and court-feel.

Material 

The material used on this shoe failed to impress us; with limited use of garment and using full-grain leather as main material they make the shoe more durable and waterproof at expense of breathability

Lockdown 

This shoe has a unique lockdown even though it employs a traditional lacing system; the mesh tongue of this Jordan sneaker has stretchable bands that boost the lockdown.

Youth Factor 

This shoe is made for kids, and if that alone is not enough, the dual-color tone and its overall style check all the boxes on Youth-o meter.

Take a look at the pros and cons.

The problem lies in focusing more on outer or mid-sole and ignoring that it is insole that comes in direct contact with feet.

Bottom Line 

This shoe delivers marvelously when it comes to traction and cushioning – with one exception and that is its substandard insole. However, leather kills breathability and its lockdown is also bordering to pretty much standard one.

7. Nike Kids Team Hustle D7 – Best Kids Basketball Shoes

Yet another pair of basketball sneakers for kids. These sneakers exude youth factor, they are so trendy, they’re so colorful and they’re so made for casual outdoors and gatherings.

Take a look at the most important features.

Traction 

A semi-Herringbone pattern thick and solid rubber sole makes sure that the player enjoys best possible grip on all type of court surfaces.

Cushioning 

Apart from midsole, the insole of this shoe offers very good padding; padding helps in shock absorption and bounce back.

Material 

Just like many other teens basketball shoes reviewed above, this one is also made of synthetic leather and there is a little use of mesh – apart from that, just for breathability, perforations have been made in leather.

Lockdown 

This shoe’s lockdown mainly relies on its lacing system, good padding in collar and tongue areas, and medium cut size of tongue and collar. So it is a pretty standard lockdown.

Youth Factor

From the looks of this shoe to the style, shape and overall feel of it, it is easier to say that this shoe was definitely made for kids.

Here’s a breakdown of pros and cons.

Apart from a very well-padded midsole, this shoe lacks in cushioning as well.

Bottom Line 

This shoe looks good, feels good and works good on any type of surfaces. Lockdown is better than ordinary. But lack of a proper cushioning system and lack of breathability mar its overall reputation.

8. Nike KD 8 – KD Youth Basketball Shoes

Nike KD 8 has a sex appeal that you cannot ignore; we have reviewed a lot of shoes that have colors that are used by old people more than youth.

But this pair of teenage basketball shoes have such style, design, shape patterns and colors that make them special – and only for youth.

Let’s have a look at the most promising features.

Traction

This shoe has a hybrid of Herringbone pattern on its sole. It is a thick rubber sole, although not as solid as in case of the previously reviewed shoes, but does the job. However, a few customers were not happy by how soft the rubber is and how easy it is to fray.

Cushioning 

This shoe checks all the boxes when it comes to cushioning. It employs full-length Zoom Air Unit. Due to this, the wearer feels super bouncy because the unit goes from forefoot to the heel.

Material 

The material used on this shoe is synthetic fiber, but it looks and feels closer to the performance woven material that they have already used in other sneakers. Since it is fabric, it is somewhat breathable, although not as much as mesh.

Lockdown 

Wearers of Nike KD 8 love it because of its snugfit, a good lacing system that contributes to the lockdown and the part that tongue plays in all this.

Youth Factor 

As it has been explained earlier, this shoe checks all the boxes on youth-o meter. It is stylish, it is colorful, design-wise it looks good and it can be used anywhere out of basketball court as well.

Let us take a look at the pros and cons

The problem is with the glue that keeps the sole and the air unit together; a few customers had this issue.

Bottom Line 

One has to say these are great “standard” basketball sneakers. The traction is good, cushioning is great, however, it goes without saying that there is room for improvement.

9. AND1 Show Out – 

And there come some more kids basketball shoes. Yes, these are for kids, made by a company that is not as famous as Adidas or Nike, but definitely known by the basketball shoes and sneaker enthusiasts.

Here’s our take on features.

Traction 

This shoe comes with a solid rubber sole that has a Herringbone pattern on it. It is needless to say that this type of soles works on all kinds of surfaces.

Cushioning 

With a lightweight EVA midsole – definitely with enough padding, this shoe does not only manage to remain lightweight, but also offer really good cushioning. Not to mention the court feel!

Material 

The upper material of this shoe is synthetic leather with perforations made to make it somewhat breathable. This kind of material is considered good for better lockdown, to make the shoe waterproof and durable.

Lockdown

It is a medium-cut shot with traditional lacing system going to the top of the tongue – because of this and the synthetic leather material, you can expect good lockdown from this shoe.

Youth Factor 

This is one of the most attractive and made for casual gathering shoe – hands down.

Leather finishing is not of really high quality; the thin top layer wears off pretty soon.

Bottom Line

This definitely a good basketball shoe, but it lacks at breathability. Grip is definitely on par with big brands.

10. Under Armour Curry 3ZERO – Under Armour Youth Basketball Shoes

Last, but not the least, we cannot complete this review of 10 best youth basketball shoes without this one.

Why?

Let’s take a look at the features to understand that.

Traction 

This shoe comes with a solid rubber sole and a detailed Herringbone pattern on it. Both of these qualities are known for providing strong grip on all sorts of surfaces.

Cushion 

This shoe has a unique cushioning setup. It has a Micro G foam carrier as midsole – combined with Charged Cushioning pad right underneath the heel.

Material 

A dual-mesh textile upper covers this shoe and makes it 100% breathable and quick to dry.

Lockdown 

This shoe comes with an interlocking mechanism. The top eyelets are connected to the heel, and once shoes are laced up, this mechanism provides a very snug fit lockdown.

Youth Factor

From innovative upper to lacing system to mesh pattern to dual-tone midsole and outer sole, this shoe is definitely made for youth – especially teenagers.

Here’s everything about pros and cons.

It seems to us that they were hell bent while deciding its cushioning – turns out they made it a little too tough.

Bottom Line 

This shoe is made for youth and in terms of traction as well as cushioning it works pretty good. Where it really deserves an effing A is its innovative lockdown.

4 Tips You Should Read Before You Buy Best Youth Basketball Shoes

Make sure that you follow these quick points while buying a sports sneaker for yourself.

• It has a rubber sole or equally good sole with a well-known pattern such as herringbone.
• It has really good cushioning and cushioning takes into account both: forefoot and the heel.
• If you’re bent on durability and waterproof shoes, buy leather-based shoes, otherwise go with mesh upper shoes because they are breathable and your feet dry quick in them.
• Make sure that you have a real good lockdown, but not too good. Why? Because it is a common observation that shoes with real tough lockdown are hard to put on.

If you love outdoors and you love to play basketball, then you must be aware that playing basketball on outdoor courts is not the same as it is on indoor courts.

A sole that is made for indoor might not perform very well on the outdoor surfaces.

Here are some of the signs of best outdoor basketball shoes:

• You have a more solid and durable rubber outsole to meet a more rugged and rough surface.
• The traction patterns are deep to avoid the surface fraying their edges.
• This kind of shoe should be a mix of better lockdown and breathability.

Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes For 2019

Shoes	Image	Top	Price
Nike Lebron Soldier XI		High	Check Price
UA Clutchfit Drive 2		Mid	Check Price
Adidas Crazy Explosive		High	Check Price
Under Armour Drive 4		High	Check Price
Under Armour Curry 3		Mid	Check Price
Nike Air Versitile II		Mid	Check Price
Nike Air Versitile Nubuck		Mid	Check Price
Nike The Air Overplay IX		Mid	Check Price
Adidas CloudfoamIlation Mid		Mid	Check Price
Adidas Harden Vol 2		Low	Check Price
UA Clutchfit Drive 3		High	Check Price
Adidas D Rose 773 III		Mid	Check Price
Adidas Crazy Bounce		High	Check Price

Without further ado, here is the review.

1. Nike LeBron Soldier XI – Most Durable Outdoor Basketball shoes

LeBron has always been one of the Nike’s most famous lines of basketball sneakers. What makes this one so important, is a piece of innovation lockdown feature. Considering all the fan following for LeBron series, it is pretty much understood that this shoe is widely appreciated.

Let us take a look at the most promising features of this product.

Innovative Lockdown 

Instead of opting for this lacing or that hidden cable lacing system, Nike introduced 4 hook and loop Velcro straps that go from toes to collar and thus provide a really lockdown.

Traction 

As explained earlier, a good outdoor basketball shoe must have really good traction. Take this shoe for example; it has a solid and translucent outer sole with a strong triangular traction pattern on it.

Cushioning 

Nike has got this Air Zoom technology that is based on an air compressed unit of tensile fibers. Every time when you press your foot on the midsole, these tensile fibers compress and the air gives quick bounce that helps you have that springing effect that is needed to dunk a hoop.

Btw we have already compiled a Post Having Only basketball sneakers with best cushion.

Material 

The upper material of Nike LeBron Soldier 11 is ballistic nylon mesh. This kind of mesh is known for maximum durability and abrasion resistance that you cannot expect from cheap quality mesh. The toe and sides of the shoe are made of synthetic leather.

This was it about features, let us take a look at the drawbacks of this product.

Sole Pattern 

There isn’t anything wrong with the triangular pattern on the sole of this shoe, but in some wearers’ opinion, it could have been better to have the herringbone pattern that is known for its stronger grip.

Lockdown 

You cannot do anything about people who think that a lacing system connected with cables beneath the upper material offers a better lockdown. So, yes, there are a few people who do not really like the hook and loop lockdown.

Nike Lebron Soldier XI Performance Review 

Bottom Line 

As you can see, there were no real cons or problems that I could find with this product. I had to rely on minor differences and opinions shown by customers. This shoe is a real fresh breeze of change due to its innovative lockdown and definitely traction is good enough for outdoor courts.

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2. Under Armour ClutchFit Drive 2 – Cheap Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Under Aemoour’s ClutchFit Drive 2 is known for its strong lockdown and a type of fitting that can be best described as a “clutch fit”. People who always complain loose toe boxes and poor lockdowns, would love to buy this one of the top outdoor basketball shoes.

Here are some of the most inspiring features.

Traction 

This shoe should be known as one most effective outdoor basketball sneakers, because of its outer sole. This sole has a multi-directional herringbone pattern, that is used by almost all big basketball shoes manufacturers.

Cushioning

ClutchFit Drive 2’s cushioning depends on marvelous foam of its midsole. The foam is definitely better than its previous version and it turns impact energy into a much needed bounce with ease and perfection. While the midsole’s cushion is so firm, a soft and thick Micro G insole makes it easy for wearer to feel comfortable.

Lockdown

The snug fit that this shoe is known for, comes from the ClutchFit lockdown of it. With a thick and durable upper material and a firm fitting, this shoe leaves little to no space for your toes to wander here and there.

Material

Something better happened to this shoe; unlike the previous version of ClutchFit, this shoe does not come with an unbreathable material; Under Armour rather opted for a combo of mesh and synthetic leather. The former helps with breathability and the later provides a snug fit and protects the toe box and sides of this shoe.

Now here’s the detail of most mention-worthy drawbacks.

Not Suitable for People with Broader Toes 

To offer a snug-fit and real good lockdown, Under Armour made this shoe almost unfit for people with broader toes. They feel that the shoe’s toe box is very narrow. This leads to pain, bruises and blistering.

Insufficient Breathability

While they added mesh to the shoe and it is not as unbreathable as it used to be in previous version, some players still complain that shoe gets hot and unbreathable after a few hours of playing.

Under Armour ClutchFit Drive 2 Performance Review 

Bottom Line

Under Armour’s ClutchFit Drive 2 is a mixed bag of everything. While its snug fit toe box is good for those who have narrow toes and want a better lockdown, people with wider toes would mostly find it bad for their toes. The best thing about this shoe is multi-directional herringbone pattern: much needed for good traction in outdoors.

3. Adidas Crazy Explosive – Best Budget Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Adidas Crazy Explosive got many basketball loving youngsters crazy after it. If there was a style scale of 1 to 10, I bet that most of people rated this shoe at least 9. However, it is known more for its strong traction and soft cushioning.

Here are some of its most amazing features.

Traction 

Adidas’ Crazy Explosive has a translucent rubber sole. The pattern is a power pattern designed digitally for this shoe. The pattern is made of different shapes such as circles, straight lines and curved lines. Although not as good as herringbone pattern, this pattern provides good traction.

Cushioning

Adidas Crazy Explosive has really good cushioning because of the full length Boost midsole. Boost is Adidas’ cushioning technology. Boost is consisted of TPU – the micro cells of TPU compress under pressure (which provides good shock absorption) and then bounce back to the original shape. As a result, you get the much needed launching that you need to dunk a hoop

Lockdown 

Adidas Crazy Explosive is innovative in so many ways; take lockdown as an example of that. Adidas Crazy Explosive used GeoFit Bootie, which is a foam construction that conforms to your unique foot as you break in this shoe. What you get is a glove-like fit, which is tight and yet comfortable.

Material 

This shoe has a unique upper material – called neoprene. It is not used in many other basketball sneakers. While neoprene is mostly used for a strong lockdown, it has breathable membranes due to which it is somewhat breathable. A layer of TPU provides extra protection from toe box to heel.

And, now let us take a look at the problematic areas that we found.

Unimpressive Lacing System

The lacing system of this shoe is rather disappointing. Not only it does not cover much of the shoe’s upper (and thus fails to support lockdown), but the eyelets happen to come off after a few weeks or month(s).

Insufficient Breathability 

Because there are no perforations made in neoprene and because neoprene is insufficiently breathable, it is an obvious conclusion that in terms of breathability, this shoe is almost a failure. This leads to concentration of bacteria and blisters.

Adidas Crazy Explosive Performance Review 

Bottom Line 

If you’re someone who prefers waterproof shoes over breathability, you must go for these sneakers because not only they have amazing traction and cushioning, but they are more waterproof than breathable. However, the most important reason why I would skip them, is very limited breathability.

4. Under Armour Drive 4 – Top Rated Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Under Armour’s Drive 4 is one of the most famous sneakers made by the brand – so much so that it is considered a flagship product of UA. And this is definitely not without good reasons. For starters, this is the shoe that you need if you are hell bent on good traction shoes.

Let’s take a look at its best features.

Traction 

UA’s Drive 4 has a solid rubber sole to stand even the most rugged basketball court and the classic herringbone pattern on this outer sole provides the wearer a multi-directional maneuverability. Not only the grooves between the pattern design enable the sole with solid traction, but since they’re deep and wide, it is difficult for dust and mud to accumulate between the ridges.

Cushioning

UA’s Drive 4 has an EVA midsole; the cushioning of this shoe is based on Micro G technology. What is that? You use a foam that is 30% thinner than other foams, reduces the weight of your shoe and gives you court-feel.

Lockdown 

This shoe does not have an extraordinary lockdown and basically the lockdown depends on a few factors for its success. First of all, the heel counter supports the upper material and laces, then laces play their limited role and finally, a rather high tongue adds to a good lockdown.

Material 

The best thing about this shoe is high quality mesh upper that you can see – spanning from one side to another side, and from toe box to heel counter. Sturdy and abrasion resistant mesh ensures that breathability does not come at the expense of durability.

And now, let us take a look at its drawbacks.

Lacing System is a Failure 

The biggest purpose of a shoe’s lacing system is to complete the lockdown and offer the wearer a snug fit that they need for a day full of game. Unfortunately, this shoe’s lacing system has a very little role in lockdown.

Poor Gluing 

A few customers have reported that the fabric on top of the tow box comes off after some time. It is either because of poor gluing or because toe box mesh and outsole counter each other’s position.

Under Armour Drive 4 Performance Review

Bottom Line 

UA’s Drive 4 is among the best outdoor basketball shoes 2019 could offer us … they’re just as relevant and high in demand as they used to be many previous years. The biggest reason why outdoor basketball junkies love this shoe is its classic herringbone pattern. Cushioning is also on part with the level of traction. Yet, the lockdown is not as impressive as it should have been.

5. Under Armour Curry 3 – Most Comfortable Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Curry has been one of the most famous product lines of UA; a basketball sneaker that every UA fan would love for its amazing traction, good cushioning and sufficient breathability. Apart from all these pros, it has a unique lockdown system that I’ve not seen anywhere else.

Let us dig deeper and read the most important features of this product.

Traction 

Curry 3 also has a durable and solid rubber outsole with classic multi-directional herringbone pattern on it. Herringbone pattern is known as the best pattern for multi-directional moves, stability and good group on all sorts of courts. It is in fact this pattern that makes this sneaker a perfect fit for outdoor basketball.

Cushioning

For Curry 3, Under Armour used a handful of their cushioning gimmicks. To start with, the midsole has meta-wing carbon fiber shanks that provide really good shock absorption. Then comes the Charged Cushioning technology; that makes the sole more responsive, more shock absorbing and definitely provides a burst of energy needed for next movement.

Lockdown 

This shoe totally owes its awesome lockdown to its innovative lacing system. The asymmetrical lacing gives a lockdown somewhat similar to burrito lockdown. Half of it takes care of the medical side, while half of it locks down the lateral side.

Material 

Curry 3 is one of the most innovative high top basketball sneakers by UA. Take its material for example; Threadborne is a material based on micro-sized, lightweight threads similar to paracord, which ensure breathability with durability. These are high-tension threads so while they are breathable, they’re still very durable.

And this is all about features; let us read the drawbacks of this product.

Insufficient Traction on Dusty Courts 

Although this shoe has a classic herringbone pattern and a solid rubber sole, many customers have reported that traction does not work on dirty courts. Frequent wiping seems to be a must for shoe like this.

Problem with Heel Counter

This shoe has a very large heel counter; while the manufacturers intended it to support the heel and add to overall lockdown, some report that it starts to dig into their skin after a few hour game.

Under Armour Curry 3 Performance Review

Bottom Line 

Curry 3 has many innovative features, and although a few customers have reported that after a few hours, traction starts failing on dirty surfaces, the classic herringbone pattern provides the best type of traction available. In terms of cushioning also, this shoe offers more than needed support. However, it is not a perfect basketball shoe, and it has its own drawbacks.

6. Nike Air Versitile II – Nike Outdoor Basketball Shoes

As the name suggests, Nike Air Versitile II uses Nike Air Zoom unit for cushioning. It goes without saying that in terms of traction as well as cushioning, this shoe would appeal every Nike lover. However, it is actually its lacing system that really impressed me.

Let us read the details.

Traction 

Nike Air Versitile II has a smart modified herringbone pattern solid rubber outsole. With herringbone and fidget spinner-shaped pattern, the wearer gets a multi-directional traction with minimum chance of getting slipped.

Cushioning

As the name suggests, Versitile II uses Air Zoom unit for cushioning. I’ve already explained what Air Zoom technology actually is. The cushioning system of this sneaker is based on one Phylon midsole for shock absorption and one small Air-sole unit located right underneath the wearer’s heel that gives them a required bounce.

Lockdown 

Nike Air Versitile II has an innovative lockdown system depending on Flywire lacing system and a lace-up closure that goes from toe box to the collar. Flywire is a set of internal cables attached to the laces that, when cinched down, provide a real snug fit.

Material 

Nike Air Versitilie is breathable and definitely because of the premium quality mesh upper (known for breathability as well as sturdiness), and then there is woven synthetic fiber that makes part of that upper.

Now let us see what disappointed me and the wearers who reviewed this product.

Collar’s Back Digs into Achilles Tendon 

Well, this has not been reported by many wearers, but yes there are those who report that the collar is something between low and mid, this is why it fails to provide much needed support to ankles, and it digs into the Achilles tendon.

Substandard Upper Material

Yes, I’ve actually praised the material as breathable and good quality, but there is a difference between relatively high quality mesh and ballistic nylon mesh. People have reported that their shoes’ upper wore out quickly and detached from the outsole.

Nike Air Versitle II Performacne Review

Bottom Line 

As many other shoes on this list, Nike Air Versitile II is also mixed bag of everything. While it offers really good traction and multi-directional movement in outdoors and while cushioning is a good combo of a good midsole and Air-sole unit located in heel, the upper material does not let it be a durable pair of shoes.

7. Nike Air Versitile Nubuck – Mens Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Nike Air VersitileNubuck is from Nike Air Versitile series. All these sneakers follow roughly the same pattern, a Fly-wire lacing system, a modified herringbone pattern and a Nike Air-sole unit in the heel to provide good cushioning.

Let us take a look at the features of this product.

Traction 

Just like Nike Air Versitile II, this shoe also has a digitally modified herringbone pattern – part of that is herringbone and part of it is made of fidget spinners-type shape. Definitely a solid rubber sole and semi-herringbone pattern ensure a good grip for multi-directional movements.

Cushioning

This shoe also has the same combo that you get with VersitileII: thePhylon midsole to decrease the level of impact and a visible Nike Air-sole unit right in the heel provides comfort in case of comfort and immediate boost needed for the next move.

Lockdown 

Just like Versitile II, Nubuck also has a Flywire system and a lace-up closure that goes all the way from toe box to collar. Due to the internal linking between lacing system and Flywireinternal cable system, wearers get a really good lockdown.

Material

Just like Versitile II, Nubuck also has a combo of high quality mesh and synthetic fiber upper. Mesh covers most of the upper – especially the bridge of foot, and provides really good breathability and quick drying feature. The synthetic fiber covers rest of the part.

And here’s about the most apparent disadvantages.

Not Fit for Clean Surfaces 

That is clearly not a bad basketball sneaker for outdoor, because outdoor surfaces are rugged and dirty, but it is not fit for clean indoor surfaces. You might end up slipping and hurting yourself, unless the sole is properly taken care of.

Substandard Air-Sole Unit

Many customers have reported about Versitile II as well as Nubuck, that their Air Zoom unit is not high quality. In some cases, it pops out and in other cases it might have a leakage.

Nike Air Versitle Nubuck Performacne Review

Bottom Line

Apart from the minimal changes that you might notice between VersitileII and Nubuck, these shoes have almost the same pros and cons. Their traction and lockdown make them fit for every basketball lover’s foot. However, the problem starts with low quality Air unit and how a sole designed for outdoor surfaces, fails on clean surfaces.

8. Nike The Air Overplay IX – 

Nike The Air OverPlay IX exudes Nike’s particular approach towards outdoor basketball sneakers. Standard combo of upper materials, standard solid rubber sole with standard semi-Herringbone pattern, Air unit for cushioning and pretty standard Nike lacing system made to adjust the lockdown.

Here’s everything that you need to know about its most promising features.

Traction

This shoe just like many other Nike basketball shoes for outdoors comes with a digitally designed, semi-herringbone pattern on a solid rubber sole. However, the difference is that in case of Overplay IX, the pattern shoes wider grooves and ridges, while the pattern remains mostly the same. Definitely best for multi-directional movements!

Cushioning

Unlike the Versitile line, this shoe does not come with an apparently substandard Air-sole unit. This one, although installed at the same place, works good with midsole shaft and help reduce the landing impact and give a much needed launching.

Lockdown

This shoe also has a very standard lockdown for a Nike sneaker; unlike the previous two versions, there is no Flywire innovative lockdown technology to provide the wearer a snug fit, but it’s raised and padded tongue, extensive lacing system and use of synthetic leather play roles in a mediocre lockdown.

Material

The upper material of this shoe is based on synthetic leather and mesh. Mesh covers most of the upper part and thus provides good breathability. The synthetic leather protects the toe box and perforations made in them help increase breathability.

So, this was all about pros; here’s everything about the cons.

Narrow Toe Box

This is the same issue that you will find with quite a few Nike shoes on this list; in order to improve lockdown, they make the shoe hard to put on and definitely end up making a narrow toe box that does not suit to the people with wider toes.

Problem with Glue or Sole

Not one or two, but many wearers have complained that the built quality of this shoe is not up to the mark set by Nike. Take the glue between rubber sole and midsole for example. It has been reported that sole wears off too quickly.

Nike The Air OverPlay IX Performacne Review

Bottom Line

In my personal and honest opinion, this shoe is not as impressive and Nike Versitille, but apart from a few innovations, Versitille had a big problem with Air Unit that you cannot find in this shoe. More or less, it provides a modified herringbone pattern with nice cushioning in the heel and midsole. The only noticeable complaint is in terms of outsole.

9. Adidas CloudfoamIlation Mid – Affordable Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Adidas CloudfoamIlationis a thing of beauty who are interested in classic white or white and black sneakers made by Adidas. However, the color tone or the style are not the only two reasons why you might want to buy this product, but the smart traction pattern design and the patented Cloudfoam cushioning also make it a Basketball sneaker that everyone would love to have.

Here is everything that you need to know about the features.

Traction

In terms of traction, Adidas is not a big fan of classic herringbone pattern; they’re also accustomed to keep trying unique patterns. For this shoe, they followed a pattern style that looks more like reverse herringbone. It is a zig zag pattern that definitely provides good traction for outdoor courts. The ridges are wide, which means that even if there is enough dirt between the ridges, the traction will not be affected

Cushioning

So what is Cloudfoam cushioning that Adidas boasts about? Well, Cloudfoam by Adidas is actually a midsole made mostly of EVA. You can even have Cloudfoam in Adidas sock liner to have a soft and bouncy cushioning right under the feet. This is what Cloudfoam does; it offers you maximum cushioning that you need for your move next to landing.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown, this shoe is not much impressive; I mean it does the job, but it is just another white or black or back and white Adidas sneaker with real good padding – while all the lockdown completely relies on the lacing system that goes from end of toe box to all the way up to the collar or 100% synthetic leather upper that gives the shoe its well-known grip.

Material

In terms of material, let me say that this sneaker disappointed me. While it is good that all synthetic leather material provided good lockdown in absence of a really good lockdown system, the problem is that it rendered the shoe unbreathable. A sports sneaker cannot be unbreathable. The good thing however is that they made a few perforations here and there is to make it somewhat bearable.

And here is all about the problems with this shoe.

Breathability Compromised

Yes, the all 100% synthetic leather up made it possible for this shoe to have a good lockdown, and yes, there are some perforations here and there, but for any sportsman, a shoe that will keep all the sweat and bacteria intact (won’t let them dry quick), is a bad thing. A basketball sneaker is not supposed to roast the wearer’s feet.

Hard to Put On

While all leather upper made it is easy for the shoe to have a good lockdown, the same makes it hard for people to put on the shoe easily. Apart from difficult in putting this on, 100% synthetic leather takes away the much needed flexibility as well.

Adidas CloudfoamIlation Mid Performacne Review

Bottom Line

This shoe can definitely be for someone who just loves Adidas outdoor basketball shoes for fun or for their urban lifestyle, but I don’t think that a basketball player, even straight out of the streets, would put this on – and this is because it is not breathable. However, the traction, cushioning and lockdown are all good.

10. Adidas Harden Vol 2 – Good Outdoor Basketball Shoes 

If you really ask for one of the Adidas’ innovative sneakers, that’d be Adidas Harden Vol 2. To start with, it has got some unique fractal pattern that you will not notice in any other sneaker – perhaps even from Adidas. Then comes cushioning and lockdown: simply the best.

Let us take a look at the pros.

Traction 

Traction is the best part about this shoe; instead of going for herringbone or any classic (predictable) traction pattern, Adidas opted for a unique fractal pattern that is similar to Harden 1, but very different from any other famous outsole patterns. However, this pattern is synced with unique movements of James Harden’s unique pressure on his foot. Well, we know this is the kind of traction that you need in outdoors.

Cushioning 

Unlike its predecessor, Harden 2 goes for a cushioning that should be considered one of the thickest Boost cushioning on any Adidas shoe. Alright, but what is boost? Boost is Adidas’ response to Nike Air Zoom. It uses many micro TPU cells that compress under pressure and provide shock absorption, and then they bounce back to real shape and provides a “boost” to the player.

Lockdown 

Even in terms of lockdown, this shoe turns out to have its own innovative lacing system that make it easier for the wearer to have just as snug a fit as they want. The molded synthetic materials host the laces, instead of typical eyelets or other solutions. They molded synthetic panels make it easy for players to have a tight lockdown.

Material 

The material of this sneaker is a mix of mesh and neoprene – with former covering the larger area of the upper foot. While neoprene is also partly breathable, mesh makes it sure that wearer enjoys very breathable and easy to dry shoes.

And this was it about the features, let us see where this shoe fails to impress the masses.

Inflexible Outsole 

The rubber outsole should be flexible which it is not. Not only the sole does not make those reassuring squeaky noises, but it does not move flexible which makes it difficult for the players to have good multi-directional movements.

Uncomfortable Midsole

Because of an elastic band on it, a few wearers noticed that the shoe feels tighter on the midsole; some of them have even experienced the midsole digging into their feet.

Adidas Hardev Vol 2 Performacne Review

Bottom Line

If there were some extra points for innovation and creativity, this shoe definitely would have secured most of them. From traction to cushioning to lockdown system; it is all about innovation. And the material – is a very breathable one. Truly a shoe that you cannot complain much about.

11. Under Armour Clutchfit Drive 3 – Under Armour Outdoor Basketball Shoes

Under Armour has got many winner sneakers under its belt, but Drive series has been the most highly sought after series. It comes with a conventional herringbone traction rubber sole – good for both outdoor and indoor courts and it combines UA’s 2 best cushioning technologies.

Let us get to know more about the features.

Traction 

It is true that UA Drive 3 has a solid rubber sole with herringbone traction pattern on it, but this is not like conventional herringbone patterns. The digitally designed patterns have bigger spikes and there are reverse and forward herringbone designs that are good for a multi-directional maneuver.

Cushioning

This shoe is hell bent on cushioning; this is perhaps the reason why UA has used 2 different cushioning to make the shoe more shock absorbent and pack more thrust to bounce back the player. The Charged Cushioning responds to changing pressure on the shoe, while Micro G foam layer adds to overall cushioning.

Lockdown 

Apart from traction and cushioning, where UA guys showed some innovation is in terms of a good lockdown. It is a bear-trap lockdown based on the lacing system that goes from rear end of toe box to all the way up to the tongue. The heel counter also helps the player enjoy a good lockdown.

Material

The upper of Drive 2 was not as breathable as upper of the Drive 3; while it is breathable, the upper of this shoe is still made of synthetic fabric – while not the high quality mesh itself.

And here’s everything about the cons.

Insufficient Breathability

This is definitely an obvious issue. They did not use mesh, and synthetic fabric can only offer very litter breathability if any. A combo of mesh and fabric or mesh and leather is always a better option.

Narrow Toe Box 

A few wearers have complained about the narrow toe box. This toe box leaves little to no place for wide toes to exist or normal toes to move. However, in my personal opinion, while the problem exits, it is not so bad.

UA Clutchfit Drive 3 Performacne Review

Bottom Line 

This shoe seems to be tremendous to me; especially in areas like traction and cushioning. It is hard to say how effective is the bear-trap lockdown, but considering that upper material is not flexible or soft like mesh, lock-down is also fine. The only issue seems to be with breathability.

12. Adidas D Rose 773 III – Adidas Outdoor Basketball Shoes

As the name suggests, it is not only a basketball sneaker, but a style statement. These are the kind of sneakers that you can wear to a house party or to a game, without wondering what others will think about you. Apart from all this glittering, this shoe has got a real good herringbone pattern rubber sole and Adidas’ unique adiPrene cushioning on forefoot.

Let us take a detailed look at the features.

Traction

This shoe has modified versions of herringbone pattern with a few other patterns in it. The solid rubber sole and this pattern help a lot with outdoor game and multi-directional movements.

Cushioning

Unlike Adidas usual choice in terms of cushioning, which is mostly the Boost technology, this shoe uses adiPrene technology. What is adiPrene technology? It is actually a lightweight insole – it can be placed in forefoot or heel, and its job is to give the wearer a bounce right after the pressure ends.

Lockdown

In terms of lockdown as well, this shoe proves to be a breeze of change. It has its own unique lockdown system known as SprintFrame chassis. So what is this? It is a chassis that provides the wearer a court feel that uses gravity to offer better lockdown. It is a mid-foot chassis on the soft material of the shoe, that keeps it close to ground.

Material 

As it has been mentioned, the SprintFrame chassis is what on top of the soft and flexible material of this shoe; you can see the chassis that goes all the way from toe-box to the back of the shoe – forming a somewhat heel counter. The material, underneath it (and visible) is leather. The perforations and a little bit mesh used on the bridge of the foot are everything you have for an essential breathability.

And here is a breakdown of the most important cons.

Narrow Shoe

It is hard to tell whether it is because of the SprintFrame or inflexible material, but this shoe is narrow on the inside, and not all, but many users have reported that they end up with blisters and bruises, until they finally broke in the shoe.

Minimum Breathability

While there are perforations made into the leather and a small amount of mesh right on the bridge of the foot, it is a matter of fact, that this shoe is not much breathable; if you’re a player you know that it sucks to have a shoe that is not breathable.

Adidas D Rose 773 III Performacne Review

Bottom Line 

These shoes are good for someone who needs a combo of stylish urban sneakers that can be used on rugged and rough outdoor surfaces. While in terms of traction, this sneaker is good, cushioning – not much. Material fails to impress the wearers, but yes, it provides a good lockdown.

13. Adidas Crazy Bounce – 

A shoe whose reputation precedes it; yes, it looks crazy and it performs crazy. It is one of those sneakers that you’d put on and leave home with to a party and a basketball match on the same day. With a rubber sole and a full length herringbone pattern on that sole, this is the shoe to go for if you want good traction in outdoor basketball game.

Here’s all the detail you need to know about the features.

Traction 

As it has been mentioned, this shoe features a full length (toe to heel) herringbone pattern, on a solid rubber outsole. Now this is a perfect device for someone who needs good traction on outdoor surfaces. Its deep grooves and wide grooves eliminate the chance to dirt accumulation.

Cushioning 

After Boost, Bounce is yet another cushioning system introduced by Adidas. So, what is Bounce cushioning system? Bounce is sort of an alternative to Boost and it comes with a handful of Adidas Sneakers. It is a midsole cushion technology; as the name suggests, purpose of Bounce unit is to absorb the shock and bounce the wearer back in the air for his next move.

Lockdown

This shoe has good – better than mediocre lockdown characteristics. First of all, with conventional eyelets and conventional lacing system that goes from the rear end of the toe-box to highest point in the collar, you get a real snug-fit lockdown. When laces are cinched down, the bootie and the heel counter clasp the foot from behind and bottom – which adds to the lockdown.

Material

First of all, this shoe is largely covered by the half-bootie construction. As for materials, it is a combo of synthetic leather and foam-backed mesh. Leather is to provide protection to abrasion-sensitive areas, while mesh makes it just as breathable as you need.

And here are the most apparent flaws.

Hard to Put On 

The half-bootie construction and the leather that covers toe, make this shoe a little hard to break in and difficult to put on.

Midsole Causes Pain 

Until the customers fully break in the shoe, whenever they cinch the laces, it causes them pain. Why? Because midsole keeps digging into the foot and that definitely is not a good feeling.

Adidas Crazy Bounce Performacne Review

Bottom Line

This is one of those shoes that you cannot easily down-rank. I mean, may be Bounce cushioning is not as all-inclusive as Boost, but it provides good bounce effect. Traction is perhaps the best, material is very breathable and lockdown has two different styles that make it possible at the same time. Breaking in is an issue and all you need to make this shoe totally yours.

Buyer’s Guide To Buy Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes of All Time

So, now that you have read about all these good basketball sneakers for wide feet as well as narrow feet – with all kinds of different systems that make them interesting, you want to know what to look for while buying an outdoor basketball shoe.

Here you go:

Traction 

Traction or grip depends largely, if not only, on outsole of a shoe. Make sure that your shoe’s outsole must be a rubber one – solid or translucent depends on your choice. Also make sure that it has a herringbone traction pattern, because it is considered the best for multi-dimensional moves.

Cushioning

It is the second most important part – cushioning can be on midsole or insole, but wherever it is, its biggest job is to help with shock absorption and a bounce effect for the player. Air Zoom, Boost and Bounce are some of the best cushioning systems.

Material 

Every material has its own pros and cons. We like mesh because it is breathable, but fabric and mesh are also vulnerable to abrasion. Synthetic leather or similar material is good for protection, but it kills flexibility and breathability.

Lockdown 

Lockdown is all about how well the shoe locks onto the feet and how it remains close to the ground; this is much needed to avoid injuries and imbalance. Make sure that whichever shoe you buy, must have at least one good lockdown feature.

Lacing System

While lacing system plays a major role in lockdown; it should be considered as an important factor by its own. If laces are not your cup of tea, you can go for two or more shoes with Velcro loops that I’ve reviewed here.

Style

Are you an athlete and play club-level basketball? If that’s the case, looks of the shoe do not matter; just pick the one with best specs. However, if you want to impress your friends in a casual house party and want to show off your new sneakers, better pick a pair that will work in both scenarios.

Our Verdict

So:

Now, you must be eager to pick one of the three best shoes that we’re about to recommend. Here is the list.

• Adidas Crazy Bounce – because it checks all the boxes with really good traction, decent cushioning, best choice of materials (and allocation) and a two-fold lockdown system
• Nike LeBron Soldier II – because it has a unique hook and loop Velcro straps system instead of laces, it has Air Zoom cushioning, near herringbone pattern on a rubber sole
• Under Armour Curry III – because it, like rest of them, is made for urban casual style as well as game; it has a big mesh upper for breathability, more mesh on bridge of the foot, classic multidirectional herringbone pattern and for cushioning, meta-wing carbon fiber shanks and Charged Cushioning